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1.0 


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Hi 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporadon 


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23  WIST  MAIN  STRliT 

wnsrn.N.Y.  msm 

(71«)t73-4S03 


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CiHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

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D 


D 


D 
D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
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Covers  restored  and/or  l&minatad/ 
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n 


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28X 

32X 

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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ntcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrent  la  m^thode. 


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I      4 

• 

• 

THE 


ARCTIC 

WHALEMAN; 


l-^  ,-»-^ 


OB, 


WINTER  IN  THE  ARCTIC  OCEAN: 

BKINO 

A  NARRATIVE  OF  TUB 

WRECK  OF  THE  WHALE  SHIP  CITIZEN, 

OF  NEW  BEDFORD,  IN  THE  ARCTIC  OCEAN,  LAT.  680  lO*  N., 

~U)N.    ISQO   W.,  SEPT.   2fi,    1862,    COMMAMli|P   BY   THOMAS    HOWES 

NORTON,     OF     KDQARTOWN,    AND     THE    SUBSEQUENT 

SUFFEUII.QS  OF  HER  OFFICERS  AND  CR£W 

DUIJ^NQ  NINE  MONTHS  AMONQ 

THE  NATIVES. 

TOOETHIR     WITH 

A  BRIEF  HISTORY  OF  WHALING. 


BY 


REV.   LEWIS    HOLMES. 


I    •  •  •    .  t 
•••   • •..  , 


,',•». 


•  » 

•  •• 


^  '-BOStaNrL. 


»     to  V 

»  » 

0    13 


'114*4   146.  WAsAulu'roV;  STJiBBt.*.    V  • 

•         *         «  w  • 


18G1. 


\  •> 


I    I  11 


H  j  1 

I'' 


Bnterwl,  acoiHnllng  to  Act  of  CougreM,  in  tlie  yotu  18&7,  bjr 
Wkntwoetb  *A  Compaxt, 


In  tiie  Clerk's  Office  of  thd  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Miui!>aclaiM)tta 


.s 


'■ff-^' 


STKRKOTTPKD    AT    TRft 
B0  8T,0]««.lkT,Ril(i:4)«r,VVIS   F<l«'<>kfl« 

...  »    M  S  .«    ft. 


••  • 
•  •  • 

« • • •  •• 


•  • 


•     ♦  '  ••  •  r  •  •• 

J  •  •    •  •  • 


•  •• 


to 


WHALEMEN, 


IN  WHOSE  EMPLOYMENT,  DARING  ADVENTURES, 


AND  MANY  DEPRIVATIONS, 


THE  AUTHOR  FEELS  A  DEEP  INTEREST, 


"  f  bis  Vnlumt 


IS  MOST  RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED. 


CO 


37445 


.-•.'*»•■>-' 


;   PREFACE. 


Of  all  classes  of  fishermen,  the  whaleman  takes 
the  precedence.  This  front  position  will  be  read- 
ily conceded  to  him,  whether  we  consider  the  stu- 
pendous object  of  his  pursuit,  or  the  vast  extent 
of  waters  over  which  he  roams  to  secure  his  prey, 
or.  the  dangers  and  perils  peculiar  to  his  avoca- 
tion, or  the  immense  pecuniary  outlay  with  which 
the  enterprisers  carried  on. 

Some  of  the  reasons  which  induced  the  author 
to  present  to  the  public  this  narrative  containing 
an  account  of  the  wreck  of  the  whale  ship  Citizen, 
and  the  subsequent  exposure  and  sufferings  of  her 
officers  and  crew  in  the  Arctic  Ocean,  avo  the 
following  :  — 

1.  The  instance  has  never  been  recorded  in  the 
history  of  marine  disaster,  in  which  a  ship's  com- 
pany, consisting  of  thirty-three  persons,  lived  so 
many  months  among  the  natives  in  so  high  a  lat- 
itude. 2.  Being  cast  helpless  and  almost  destitute 
upon  such  a  desolate  coast,  they  had  to  depend 
principally  upon  the  kindness  and  generosity  of 
the  natives  for  protection,  food,  and  clothing. 

(7) 


y\ 


8 


PBBFAOS. 


8.'  Considering  the  nnfilirorable  and  forbidding 
circamstances  of  their  condition,  in  Hying  as 
the  natives  lived,  and  their  travels  in  the  depths 
of  winter  Arom  one  settlement  to  another  in  order 
to  avoid  starvation,  it  is  remarkable  that  so  many 
of  them,  with  so  little  sickness,  should  be  rescued 
the  following  year. 

A  plun  statement  of  these  facts  the  author  felt 
was  due  to  his  fellow-townsmen,  and  would  prob- 
ably be  of  some  considerable  interest  to  all  classes 
of  readers,  and  therefore  meriting  a  permanent 
record  with  the  varied  experience  of  whalemen. 

The  limited  time  the  author  spent  with  Captain 
Norton,*  who  was  then  preparing  for  sea,  from 
whom  he  received  the  leading  facts  in  the  narra- 
tive, after  it  was  concluded  to  give  it  to  the  pub- 
Ho,  is  his  only  apology  for  not  introducing  more 
extended  particulars. 

Mr.  Abi'am  Osbom,  Jr.,t  Mr.  John  P.  Fisher ,J 
and  Mr.  John  W.  Norton,^  now  absent  at  sea,  con- 
firmed the  report  of  the  captain,  besides  having 
contributed  important  materials  to  the  narrative 
themselves. 

Any  information  respecting  the  physical  fea- 
tures of  the  arctic  region,  and  the  character  of  its 


*  Master  of  the  ship  South  Seaman,  of  New  Bedford, 
t  Master  of  the  ship  WiUiam  Wirt,  of  New  Bedford. 
X  First  officer  of  the  ship  General  Pike,  of  New  Bedford. 
}  First  dBeer  of  tiie  ship  WiUiam  Henry,  of  Fatrharea. 


PREFACE. 


inhabitants,  is  not  only  deeply  interesting,  but 
highly  usefal.  The  recent  explorations  of  Dr.  Kane, 
in  the  American  Arctic,  have  largely  increased 
the  bounds  of  knowledge  respecting  that  remarka- 
ble portion  of  the  earth's  surface. 

Though  less  attention,  perhaps,  has  been  given 
to  the  exploration  of  the  Asiatic  Arctic,  through 
Behring's  Straits,  it  is,  however,  a  region  which 
is  yearly  visited  by  scores  of  American  whalemen, 
and  who  have  become  quite  familiar  both  with  its 
eastern  and  western  coasts,  even  to  the  impassable 
ice  barrier,  which  forbids  all  further  approaches 
to  the  north. 

The  acquaintance  wfaM  tlie  officers  and  crew 
of  the  Citizen  formed  with  the  natives  during  the 
space  of  nine  months  in  which  they  lived  with 
them,  and  thus  had  so  &vorable  an  opportunity  to 
learn  their  characters  and  hftbits,  has  probably 
never  been  surpassed  by  any  other  company  of 
men  within  the  present  century. 

The  History  op  Whaling  will  give  the  reader 
a  succinct  view  of  the  commencement,  progress, 
and  present  state  of  the  enterprise.  The  author 
would  here  express  hi^  acknowledgments  to  whale- 
men who  have  readily  furnished  him  with  many 
valuable  incidents  connected  with  the  details  of 
their  employment. 

L.  H. 

EoQAaiowir,  June,  1867. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


1.  A  WHALB  BITING  A  BOAT  IN  TWO,    .  Wwomnitn. 

5.  WALBUB  AMONG  lOBBBBOB,  ...  47 
8.  WBECK  OF  THB  OITIZBN,  .  .  .  .  68 
4.  NATIVE  OOBTUMB, 66 

6.  HUNTING  THB  POLAB  BBAB 105 

6.  POLAB  BEAB0, 125 

7.  A  BHIP  AFTEB  A  GALB,  .  .  .         .  .  .    |47 

8.  WHALE8  BAIBBO, 189 

9.  LOWEBING  FOB  WHALES, .  ...  189 
10.  TWO  BHIP8  NEAB  BHOBE,  ....  205 
11..  PEBILOU8  SITUATION  OF  WHALEMEN,  .  .  •  389 
12.  ENEMIES  OF  THE  WHALE,  ....  257 
18.  HABPOONING  A  WHALE,             .           .           .           .269 

14.  CUTTING  IN  A  WHALE,        .  .  .         '  .  277 

15.  BOILING  OUT 

(10) 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  L 

■kip  OitiMii  Mdb  flrom  New  Badfnrd.— Oapuia,  OfflMn,  ud  Omw.— 
latafMt  MBtnd  1b  a  Whal*  Bhipb— Aecompaajriaf  Bhlpa.— iMwiek- 
BMM  and  BomMlekiMM. — AiriTtl  «t  Gap*  Ywd  blaada. — As  Agna* 
n«at  with  Oaptaia  Banda,  of  tlia  Bliip  BaqJaniiB  Tuekar. — WlMlaa 
niMd. — Oluriatnu  Bnppar  on  board  of  tha  Oitiaaa. — A  Wlula  Bcaaat 
— •*  An  ugly  OuaUHnar.*'— A  Whala  Ineidant,  eopiad  from  tlM  Vlna- 
yardOaaattai— AniTalatHUo.— Bandwiclilalanda.        .      .      . 


CHAPTER  n. 

Saeniltad  for  tlia  Aretie.  — >  Dapartora.  —  Ooaat  of  Kamtaebatka.  » 
Coppar  laland.— Going  into  tlM  lea  with  Captain  Oroaby.— Qala  of 
Wind. — Dangaroua  Baiiing  in  tlw  lea. — Captain  Tluddaua. — Bay  of 
tha  Holy  Cioaa. — Plover  Bay. — Dead  Whala.  —  m.  Lawianca  Bay.— 
Whalaa  working  north.  — Looaa,  floating  leaT-^STeo^lM  with 
Walrua.— Fine  Waathor.— Striking  an  leabarg.  —  Bhip  leaking.— 
Retom  to  St.  Lawrenea  Bay.— Damage  lapaired.— ArrlTal  in  tha 
Aretie 


CHAPTER  m. 


Northern  Lighta.— High  Winda.— Spoke  with  Captain  Cloogh.— 
Bhipa  Been  in  the  Diitanea. — Storm  inereaaing. — No  Obaanrationa.  — 
Blowing  heavily.— Scene  awibllyaublime. — Ship  itnick  by  a  Sea.— 
Bhoal  Water. — Bocka  and  Breakera.  —  Ship  anmanageable.— FOra 
and  mizzen  Topaaila  carried  away.  —  Ship  atriking  aatem,  bow,  and 
midahipa.  —  Foremaat  eat  away.— Narrow  Eacape  of  Captain  Nor- 
ton.—Hixzenmaat  gone  by  the  Board.  — Sad  Condition  of  the  Sea- 
men. —  Land  in  Bight.  —  Bhip  drifting  towarda  the  Shore.  —  Under- 
tow.—The  Lanteni  Kag.— Mainmaat  cut  away,  and  fUling  towaida 

(11) 


' 


12 


CONTENTS. 


the  Shore.  — Men  escaping  on  the  Mut.— Trying  Scene. —OtptciB 
WMhed  Mhore.  — AffiNsting  Deatha.— Wreck  piled  up  on  Shore.— 
Fire  made.- Men  perishing  with  Cold.- Five  mhHriag.— Pioapeete 
dark.— Deatittttion.— Tent  erected.  — MerciAil  Oireumatancaa  con- 
nected with  the  Wreck ...   83 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Firat  Night  on  Shore. — Sleeping  in  onpty  Casks. — Partiei  of  Bzplonu 
tion.— Dog  Tracks.— Arrangementa  to  leave  the  Wreck.— Desire  to 
reach  East  Cape.— Reflectiens  tapob  Mur  Condition.— The  dead  Hog 
roasted.- The  «pet  Hog.»— Company  travel  towards  the  Sooth 
and  Bait —  Two  NatirM  MAi.<«.  tvOtf.^  BUeetel  to  tte  SMObw 
meat. — The  oM  WtMnan  ated  her  Ceremony. — Tk«  eeooed  BettteBMit. 
—Bend  Han  cordial.— Men  distributed  uaong  the  Huts.— Not  aMe 
tofeMh  East  Cape.— Ctompaay  eBtertidtiM..^MMiTM  fcr  it.— «or- 
eittiitat  riMirid  reward  the  NMtM.      .      .       ^       .      .      .      .   71 


CHAPTER  V. 

No  Froapect  of  reaching  East  Cap*.  ->  ftafiilU  Conviction. — The  Prov- 
Inee  of  Christian  Faith —  The  Wreck  viaited. — The  Nativea. — Hope 
nnexpeetMly  revived.— Ship  in  Si^ht.— Comes  HMr.-^Sigmda  from 
tlieLimd.— No  Assistance  olttarad.-^  Sails  down  fheC0Mt.—Iiiie- 
^biMe  State  bf  our  Minda.- Card  in  The  Polyneslui.    . 


CHAPTER   VI. 

dor  sad  and  desolate  Feelinga  after  the  Dqiartare  of  the  Ship. — Wkat 
we  ahould  aoon  witness  of  Arctic  Winter.— The  Wreck  visited  flrom 
Time  to  Time.— Provisions  transported  to  the  Settlement.— The 
Weather.— Whales  near  Shore.— Sever*  Gale  of  Wind.— Fall  of 
Snow. — Ocean  frosen  over. — Sudden  Introduction  of  Winter,  and  its 
Dreariness.— Not  to  be  described.— The  Sun  foiling,  Nights  length- 
ening.-Disappearance  of  the  Sun.— Long  Night.— How  we  passed 
our  Time.— Confined  to  the  Huts.— Singing.— Neither  Book  nor 
Chart,  nor  Writing  Materials,  except  Pieces  of  Copper. — Hope  of  Lib- 
eration another  Year.— Captain  Norton'a  Method  of  keeping  Time. 
—  The  Razor.— Our  Clothing.— Provisions  getting  low.— Nativea 
both  eating  and  stealing  ours.  —  A  new  Chapter. — Commenced  living 
on  BIuMmt  with  the  Natives. — Native  Stock  diminishinf.  —  Winten 


CONTENTS. 


13 


in  tlfi»  Arctic  yarv.-.The  nitire  ManiMr  of  capturing  the  Whato.— 
Praparing  their  Food.— Native  Bread. — fieacription  of  their  Hate.  — 
Their  peculiar  Locality.— Their  Method  of  lighting  and  warming 
them.— TheFilthineaaof  theNativea 106 


CHAPTER  Vn. 


Health  of  theNativea. — Their  Diaeaaes.— Captain  N.  preaeribea  a  Rem- 
edy.—Their  Bupentitioua  Notions.- Mr.  Oabom  preaeribea  for  the 
Sick. — A  fatal  Case. — They  surround  Mr.  O.  with  threatening  Ges- 
tures.— Native  Remedy  for  Nose  Bleeding  and  Sore  Eyes.  —  Burial 
Ceremony.  —  Marriages.  —  General  Appearance  of  the  Natives.  — 
Their  Character. — Their  Habits  of  Industry. — Property. — Language. 
—  Icebergs.— Their  Formation.— The  Distance  to  which  Icebergs 
float. — Their  Magnitude.  —  Field  Ice. — The  sudden  Disappearance 
of  Ice.  — How  accounted  for.— Icy  Vapor.— Poisoning.     . 


UT 


CHAPTER  Vm. 

Provisions  of  the  Natives  getting  low.  — New  Calamity  threatened.— 
Health  and  Strength  failing.— Tfecessity  of  seeking  other  duartars.— 
The  only  Alternative. — Report  of  a  Wreck. — Parties  leave.  —  Dread- 
fkil  Traveling  and  Exposures.- Report  by  the  Natives  that  our  Men 
were  frozen  to  Death.  —  An  Instance  of  Treachery. — The  Captain  and 
his  Party  leave.  — The  Weather.— Traveling.— Thoughts  of  Home. 
— Preservation.  —  One  of  the  Party  unable  to  walk. — Left  behind.  — 
Found  by  the  Natives.  — The  Fate  before  us.— Division  of  the  Bis- 
cuit. —  Another  fails,  sits  down,  and  is  frozen  to  Death. — Reflections. 
— Ci^itain  Norton  encourages  his  <mly  remaining  Companion. — Sin- 
gular Appearance  upon  the  Ice.  —  Dog  Teams. — Part  of  Mr.  Fisher's 
Company. — Encouragement  to  our  Minds.— Nativea  unwilling  to 
help  US.- The  Danger  of  Riding. — Last  EflTort.— The  Music  of 
Balking  Dogs.  —  Our  Manner  of  Traveling.  —  DreadAiI  Condition  of 
our  Feet. — Captain  Norton  falls  exhausted. — Native  Kindness.        .  14C 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Mr.  Fisher's  Party  a  short  Distance  firom  this  Settlement.— Next  Dajr 
left  for  another  Settlement.  —  Our  Men  arriving  in  amall  Companisi. 
—  Health  improving. — Cross  the  River.  —  No  Signs  of  Water.  —  Set- 
tlement.—Ham.— The  Wreck  of  a  New  Bedford  Ship.  — When  lost. 


14 


CONTENTS. 


and  the  CireamatuicM.— Travel  to  anotber  Settlement.— The  head 
Man  a  aavage  Fellow.  —  Traireling  towards  East  Cape.  —  Seaboard  , 
Route. — Natives  kind.  —  Begging  by  the  Way —  The  Whale  Boat.  ~~ 
The  Broadside  of  a  Ship.— Ship  in  the  Ice.— DrifTfltiil^-Biui's 
Reflection.  —  Sore  Eyes.— Snow  Blindness.— The  Blind  led  with 
Strings.  —  Partial  Remedy.  —  East  Cape  reached.  —  Cordially  re- 
ceived by  the  Natives 166 


CHAPTER  X. 

East  Cape,  a  Point  of  Observation. — The  greater  Part  of  our  Men  gath- 
ered here. — The  Kanaka.  —  Weather  softening.  —  Ice  still  firm. — 
Arctic  Scenes.  —  Icequakes. — Migratory  Fowl.  —  A  Whale  discov- 
ered. — Gala  Time  among  the  Natives.  —  The  Natives  thorough  Drink- 
ers.— Adrunken  "  Spree." — Cruise  into  the  Country.  —  Birds-egging. 
— Incidents. — Native  Manner  of  killing  Fowl. — Amusements  of  the 
Natives.  —Vegetation. — Face  of  the  Country. — Fish. — Fowl. — The 
Ochotsk  Sea  and  Country -     .       .       .179 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  Ocean  still  frozen  over  on  the  9Sd  of  June. — On  the  24th  the*  Ice 
began  to  break  up. — Whales  appear. — Walrus  follow  the  Ice. — Daily 
looking  for  Ships.— Report  of  our  Wreck  five  hundred  Miles  below 
East  Cape.  —  Method  of  sending  News  by  the  Natives. — Ships  noti- 
fied of  our  Condition.  —  How. — The  Resolution  of  Captains  Jeme- 
gan  and  Goosman. — Arrival  of  two  Ships  off  East  Cape. — Natives 
first  spy  them.  —  Stir  in  the  Settlement. — Happy  Day  of  Deliverance. 
— Words  feeble  to  express  our  Joy. — A  fit  Occasion  for6ri|titude  and 
Thanks  to  God. — Preparations  to  go  on  board. — The  Welcome  of 
(faptain  Goosman. — Captain  Norton  with  Captain  Jernegan. — Crew 
collected. — Changed  our  native  for  sailor  Dress. — Liberality  of  the 
Officers  and  Crews  in  furnishing  Clothes.  —  A  Review  of  the  Past. — 
The  Settlement  visited.  —  Dinner.  —  Arrival  at  the  Islands.  —  A  Card.  191 


CHAPTER  Xn. 


A  Whaling  Community.  —  Interest  felt  for  absent  Ones. — The  first 
IntelligMice  firom  the  Whaling  Fleet.  —  California  Mail.— Further 
News  from  the  Islands.-"  Missing  Ships."— No  Report  of  the  Clti- 
-  No  Letters.  —  Fears  as  to  her  Safety. — When  last  spoken  with. 


a— 4  .lirfTii  1    iiMli  JL-^i.  '.  -  j^—    1  !iir  ' 


CONTENTS. 


15 


—  Either  lost  or  flrozen^p  in  the  Arctic— Bapposed  Fate  of  Officera 
and  Crew. — Diatresaing  Suspenae.  —  Hoping  againat  Hope.  —  Prayer 
anawered.  — The  firat  Intelligence  from  theCitizen.— Joy  in  Fami- 
liee.— Captain  Norton'a  Arrival  at  Home,  and  aubeequently  the  Arri- 
val of  hia  Officera  belonging  to  thia  Place. 914 

CHAPTER  Xni. 

The  Ocean. — The  Seaman'a  Home. — Confidence  of  the  Mariner  in  hia 
Ship.  —  Shipwreck.  —  Moral  and  religious  Claims  of  Seamen. — The 
Spirit  of  the  Age. —  Interest  in  the  Mariner*a  Meeting. —  Seaport 
Placea.  —  Sudden  Intelligence.  —  Seamen  remembered  elaewhere.— 
Ships  rapplied  with  Booka. — Bible  and  Tract  Societies.— Good  Seed 
sown. — Field  for  Useflilneas. — The  ABSfieaa  Seaman. — Coneart  of 
Prayer.  —  All  interested. — The  moat  important  Reform  for  Seamen.    9M 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Whale  Fishery. —  Its  Origin. — Where  first  carried  on.  —  By  whom. — 
Whaling  in  the  Northern  Ocean  by  the  Dutch  and  English.  —  Conten- 
tions between  them.  —  The  Success  of  the  Dutch.  —  Its  Commence- 
ment in  New  England. —  "  London  Documents." — The  first  Whale 
Scene  in  Nantucket.  —  Boat  Whaling.  —  The  Number  of  Whales 
taken  in  one  Day. — Tlie  first  Spermaceti  Whale. —  The  Interest  it 
excited.  — Its  supposed  Value.  —  The  first  Sperm  Whale  captured.— 
New  Life  to  the  Business. — Whaling  in  Massachusetts  in  1771-75. — 
Burke's  Eulogy  on  New  England  Whalers.  —  Sperm  Whaling  in 
Great  Britain. — Revived  in  France.  —  The  American  and  French 
Revolutions  nearly  destroyed  the  Business.  —  Loss  to  Nanfuclet.— 
Itt  Commraceliiuut  111  NOW  Befilul'd.- llbiilar  View  of  the  Number 
of  Vessels  engaged  in  Whaling,  and  Places  to  which  they  belong.     . 


Ml 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  Whale.— Ite  ZoSlogy.  — The  largest  known  Animal.— Sperm 
Whale.- Bight  Whale.  — Finback — Bowhead 9M 


16 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  in. 


Whalt  Blubber — EaemiM  of  the  Whtle Affection  of  the  Whale  te 

ItaTouiif.— Inetancee. 9M 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Whale  Grounds — Whaling  Seaaona,  and  where  Species  of  Whales  are 
found — Sperm  Whale  Grounds — Right  W%ale  Grounds Hump- 
backs and  Bowheads,  where  found.— Right  Whale  not  crossing  the 
Equator. —Arctjlc  Paf  am  for  Whales.  —  Maury's  Opinion  of  the 

Haunts  of  the  WhiJeinUfe  rbTar  Sea.  —  Confirmed  by  Dr.  Kane 

Vessels  fitted  for  Whaling — Several  Classes Time  of  Sailing 

Arrival  at  Home.  —  Length  of  Voyages.  —  Seasons  and  between 


Seasons. 


^909 


CHAPTER  V. 


Incraased  Length  of  Whaling  Voyages — Capital Value  of  Oils  and 

Bone.  —  Value  of  several  Classes  of  Whaling  Vessels.  — «« Lay.»»  — 

Boat's  Crew —  Whaleboats —  Approaching  a  Whale Harpooning. 

—  Whale  Warp.  — Danger  when  the  Line  runs  out.— Locomotive 

Power  of  the  Whale — Lancing.— Flurry.  — Cutting  in Boiling 

out —  The «« Case  and  Junk."— The  Rapidity  with  which  Oil  may 
be  taken , 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Outfitting  and  Infitting. — «« Runners." — Remedy Articles  ef  Cloth- 

ing. — Whaling  Business —  Promotion —  Whale  Killing Dangwt. 

—General  Success  of  the  Enterprise. gf^ 


CHAPTER  Vn. 


TiM  MaanActure  of  OiL    . 


INTEODUCTION. 


A  FATHER  once  said  to  his  son,  respecting 
books,  ^^  Read  first  the  introduction ;  if  that  be 
good,  try  a  few  pages  of  the  volume ;  if  they  are 
excellent,  then,  but  not  else,  read  on."  But  I  do 
not  wish  this  criterion  to  be  applied  in  the  pres- 
ent instance.  For  if  the  reader  find  the  introduc- 
tion uninteresting,  he  will  be  compensated  by  a 
careful  perusal  of  the  narrative  itself.  It  may 
be  relied  on  as  stating  matters  of  fact.  The  in- 
formation it  contains  respecting  the  adventurous 
and  exciting  business  of  the  whale  fishery  is  de- 
rived from  authentic  sources.  The  volume  pre- 
sents matters  of  deep  and  general  interest  to  every 
reader.  It  will  remind  him  of  some  of  the  scenes 
so  vividly  portrayed  by  the  late  Dr.  Kane  in  his 
arctic  explorations. 

Many  "  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  and 
do  business  in  the  great  waters,"  come  from  re- 
mote parts  of  the  country.  Here  is  the  informa- 
2  (17) 


r^ 


■  i^iM^iy 'W*'  <w  <,wi'i   rnuHNn  I 


im      I    v'^^tmw    1  I 


«nt HMWi' 


V 


18 


INTRODUCTION. 


tion  which  will  convey  to  relatives  at  home  some 
just  idea  of  the  toils  and  privations  of  those 
loved  ones  who  are  ploughing  the  trackless  ocean. 
The  young  men,  who  are  looking  forward  to  a 
life  on  the  ocean  wave,  will  read  the  following 
narrative  with  eagerness  and  delight.  Their 
ardent  temperament  and  roving  disposition  have 
pictured  in  fancy's  halls  bright  scenes  on  the 
briny  deep.  Such  will  find  in  this  work  a  true 
view  of  a  mariner's  life,  accompanied  with  valu- 
able counsels. 

It  is  neither,  as  I  judge,  the  tendency  nor  the 
design  of  the  book,  to  deter  any  from  a  seafaring 
life  that  love  adventure,  and  believe  there  is  no 
royal  road  to  fortune.  To  employ  a  nautical 
phrase,  "  None  need  expect  to  creep  in  by  the 
cabin  windows ;  all  must  crawl  through  the  haw- 
ser hole."  He  must  endure  hardship  and  priva- 
tion before  he  can  enjoy  promotion.  Young 
men  of  sound  health,  steady  purpose,  moral  cour- 
age, and  trustworthiness,  will,  by  the  blessing  of 
Providence,  be  sure  of  promotion.  If,  however, 
these  qualities  are  lacking  in  a  young  man,  the 
discovery  is  generally  made  during  his  first  voy- 
age. His  reputation,  good  or  bad,  will  reach 
home  long  before  the  ship  returns  to  port.  Own- 
ers and  agents  know  what  is  in  him,  and  what 
may  be  expected  from  him   in   future.     If   he 


INTRODUCTION. 


19 


stands  the  test,  if  he  is  faithful  and  prompt  in 
the  discharge  of  duty,  all  who  have  an  interest 
in  the  success  of  voyages  will  want  his  services. 

This  book  gives  valuable  information  to  par- 
ents whose  sons  are  inclined  to  go  to  sea.  Re- 
sistance should  not  be  carried  to  such  a  degree 
as  to  drive  the  young  man  to  expedients  in  order 
to  get  away  from  home  clandestinely.  This 
course  always  throws  him  into  the  hands,  and 
places  him  under  the  power,  of  those  who  have 
no  ultimate  object  but  to  make  all  possible  profit 
out  of  his  toil.  Many  young  men,  in  conse- 
quence of  obstacles  thrown  in  their  way,  never 
divulge  at  home  their  longing  desire  to  try  the 
sea.  Hence,  some,  who  are  physically  unfit  to 
Bear  the  fatigue,  have  taken  their  first  step  by 
running  off  to  some  seaport ;  and  after  being 
involved  in  expense,  although  they  may  have 
changed  their  mind,  they  cannot  retrace  their 
steps.  Once  shipped,  they  will  have  one  life-long 
regret.  Let  parents  do  aU  they  possibly  can  to 
render  their  would-be  sailor  sons  independent  of 
the  "  landsharks." 

Clergymen  and  Sabbath  school  teachers  are 
in  a  position  to  know  something  of  the  tenden- 
cies and  aptitudes  of  their  respective  charges. 
They  may,  by  availing  themselves  of  the  con- 
tents of  this  volume,  prevent  many»mistakes  and 


fT" 


20 


INTRODUCTION. 


unavailing  regrets.  The  object  to-be  sought  is, 
to  secure  those  who  will  go  to  sea  from  doing  so 
under  false  apprehensions  of  the  kind  of  life,  and 
the  essential  qualifications  for  success  in  the  sail- 
or's avocation. 

Seamen  are  in  demand,  and  if  commerce  con- 
tinues to  extend,  many  more  able-bodied  sailors 
will  be  required  to  man  our  ships.  When  the 
extent  and  value  of  the  interests  involved  are 
thought  of,  it  seems  surprising  that  efforts  are  not 
made  to  improve  the  character  and  condition  of 
the  sailor.  Millions  of  property  are  intrusted  to 
his  care.  Thousands  of  precious  lives  are  in  his 
hands  for  weeks  and  months ;  yet  many  sailors 
are  the  refuse  of  jails,  penitentiaries,  and  state 
prisons.  The  sentiment  too  often  prevails  that 
the  worse  man  makes  the  better  sailor.  Hence 
we  may  easily  account  for  many  shipwrecks,  ves- 
sels cast  away,  sunk,  and  burned.  This  is  be- 
coming too  expensive.  As  total  abstinence  on 
board  ship  has  reduced  the  rates  of  insurance,  so 
will  greater  security  to  life  and  property  be  ex- 
perienced at  sea,  when  more  attention  shall  be 
paid  to  the  character  and  condition  of  sailors. 
The  profit  may  be  proportionally  divided  between 
the  owners  and  the  crew. 

Combined  and  earnest  efforts  should  be  made 
by  parties,  especially  by  those  more  immediately 


INTRODUCTION. 


21 


concerned.  A  beginning  must  be  made  some* 
where.  Individual  effort  has  done  something, 
but  these  attempts  are  limited  by  others  who  have 
it  in  their  power  to  hinder  the  operation  of  bene- 
ficial changes.  Difficulties  can  be  overcome  ef- 
fectually when  all  combine  to  remove  them.  The 
temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  so  many  thou- 
sands of  our  fellow-men  afloat  on  the  great  deep 
demand  much  at  our  hands. 

The  moral  and  religious  element  must  lie  at 
the  foundation  of  all  physical  and  social  reforms. 
When,  therefore,  owners,  captains,  agents,  offi- 
cers, and  crews  will  agree  not  to  lower  their 
boats,  even  if  a  fish  is  seen,  on  Sabbath,  an  im- 
portant step  will  be  taken  in  the  right  direc- 
tion. For  while  all  are  systematically  violating 
the  law  of  God,  there  can  be  no  law  on  board 
ship  but  brute  force.  Why  should  any  one  feel 
at  liberty  to  prosecute  his  daily  employment  at 
sea,  when  he  would  be  ashamed  to  do  so  on 
land  ?  Is  the  sailor  less  dependent  on  the  bless- 
ing of  a  gracious  God  than  the  husbandman  1 
He  is  a  very  godless  farmer  who  will  plough 
or  sow  on  Sabbath  because  it  rained  on  Satur- 
day, or  may  rain  on  Monday.  The  difficulties 
are  not  insuperable.  Meet  them  at  the  outset. 
The  responsibility  must  not  be  wholly  devolved 
on  the  captain,  to  do  what  he  thiiiks  best  after 


22 


INTRODUCTION. 


he  has  gone  to  sea.  Let  the  owners  dist'.ictly 
and  unequivocally  express  their  will  in  the  case. 
Then  captain,  officers,  and  crew  will  be  shipped 
with  this  stipulation :  No  fishing  on  Sabbath. 

Many  captains  and  others  now  engaged  in  the 
whaling  fleet  will  welcome  such  an  arrange- 
ment. The  effect  of  it  on  the  whole  ship's  com- 
pany will  be  salutary.  As  the  business  is  now 
conducted,  there  are  doubtless  many  uneasy  con- 
sciences. Some  are  glad  when  no  fish  is  seen  on 
Sabbath.  But  when  the  cry  is  raised,  "  There 
she  blows ! "  what  a  struggle  takes  place  in  the 
mind  of  the  pious  and  God-fearing  men !  But 
the  rest  think,  if  the  boats  are  not  lowered,  that 
their  rights  and  interests  are  infringed ;  and  even 
the  owners  might  afterwards  complain  thkt,  when 
fish  were  seen,  they  were  not  taken.  So  the 
order  is  given,  "  Lower  away  the  boats."  But  this 
does  not  settle  the  question,  for  the  captain  feels 
his  moral  power  diminished.  He  cannot  next 
day  with  a  clear  conscience  read  and  pray  with 
his  officers,  nor  call  all  hands  together  next  Sab- 
bath to  hear  the  word  of  God  read. 

Thus  nearly  all  that  is  done  for  the  moral  im- 
provement of  sailors  in  port  is  neutralized  by 
one  act  of  disobedience  to  God. 

In  New  Bedford,  something  is  attempted  for 
the  good  of  the  sailor.     "  The  Sailor's  Home  "  i» 


=4- 


INTRODUCTTON. 


23 


well  conducted.  The  Port  Society  sustains  the 
Bethel  and  its  indefatigable  minister.  All  the 
Bibles  needed  for  the  ships  come  from  the  New 
Bedford  Bible  Society.  But  something  further 
is  required  to  induce  habits  of  Bible  reading  on 
board  ship.  Let  owners  and  others  think  of  some 
of  the  hints  given  above. 

If  this  volume,  now  presented  to  the  publici 
containing  a  narrative  of  so  much  interest,  will 
improve  the  condition  of  the  weather-beaten 
sailor,  and  promote  the  honor  of  God,  our  desire 
is  accomplished. 

J.    GiRDWOOD. 
Nsw  Bbdvoad,  Mass.,  June,  1867. 


THE  WHALEMAN; 


1 
4 


.  o 


0».   ' 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THB  ABCnO. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Ship  CitUen  sails  from  New  Bedford. —CspUln,  Officers,  and  Or«w. 
—Interest  centred  in  a  Whale  Ship. —Accompanying  Sh^.«« 
Seasickness  and  Homesickness.  —  Arrival  at  Cape  Yerd  Ubmdi, 
— An  Agreement  with  Captain  Sands,  of  the  Ship  Bei\}amll^ 
Tucker. — Whales  raised. — Christmas  Supper  on  board  of  tht 
Citisen.— A  Whale  Seene.  — "An  ugly  Customer."- A  Whal* 
Incident,  copied  from  tho  Vineyard  Qasette.— Arrival  at  ^q.— 
Sandwich  Islands. 

The  whale  ship  Citizen,  of  New  Bedford, 
owned  by  J.  Howland  &  Co.,  fitted  for  three  or 
four  years,  and  bound  to  the  North  Pacific  on  a 
whaling  voyage,  sailed  from  the  port  of  New 
Bedford,  October  29,  1851.  She  was  com- 
manded by  Thomas  Howes  Norton,  of  Edgar- 
town,  Martha's  Vineyard. 

(W) 


«fM0< 


26 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


Her  officers  were  the  following,  namely :  first 
mate,  Lewis  H.  Roey,  of  New  Bedford ;  second 
mate,  John  P.  Fisher,  of  Edgartown ;  third  mate, 
Walter  Smith,  of  New  Bedford;  fourth  mate, 
William  Collins,  of  New  Bedford.  Four  boat 
steerers,  namely :  Abram  Osborn,  Jr.,  and  John 
W.  Norton,  of  Edgartown,  John  Blackadore 
and  James  W.  Wentworth,  of  New  Bedford. 

The  following  were  nearly  all  the  names  of 
her  crew :  Charles  T.  Heath,  William  E.  Smith, 
Christopher  Simmons,  George  W.  Borth,  Darius 
Aping,  William  Nye,  Manuel  Jose,  Jose  Joahim, 
Charles  C.  Dyer,  Charles  Noyes,  Edmund  Clif- 
ford, George  Long,  Charles  Adams,  Bernard 
Mitchell,  Nicholas  Powers,  William  H  May, 
Alpheus  Townshend,  Barney  R.  Kehoe,  Joseph 
E.  Mears,  James  Dougherty,  and  Peter  M.  Cox. 
The  whole  number  on  board  when  she  sailed 
was  thirty-three  persons.  In  addition  to  the 
above,  five  seamen  were  shipped  at  the  Verd 
Islands,  which   aade  thirty-eight,  all  told. 

As  is  generally  the  case,  the  majority  of  these 
were  strangers,  and  perhaps  had  never  seen  each 
other's  countenances  until  they  appeared  on  the 
deck  of  the  ship,  henceforth  to  be  their  new  home 
for  months,  and  it  may  be  for  years. 

Besides,  in  this  number  there  were  representa- 
tives from  different  and  distant  sections  of  the 


1 1 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


27 


country,  and  not  unfrequently  an  assortment  of 
nations,  and  even  races. 

Here  were  gathered  for  the  first  time  many  a 
wandering  youth,  attracted  to  the  seaboard  by 
the  spirit  of  romantic  adventure,  to  see  the 
world  of  waters,  and  to  share  in  the  excitement 
of  new  scenes.  His  wayward  history,  in  break- 
ing away  from  the  wholesome  restraints  and 
watchcare  of  home,  may  be  found  written,  per- 
haps, in  many  sorrowful  hearts  which  he  has  left 
behind.  Years  may  pass  away  before  either 
parents  or  relatives  shall  heaif  a.g3.in  from  the 
absent  one,  and  it  may  be  never.  Such  instances 
are  not  uncommon. 

How  much  interest  there  is  centred  in  a  whale 
ship,  as  she  is  about  to  leave  port !  It  is  felt  not 
only  by  those  who  embark  their  property  and 
lives  in  her,  but  there  are  other  attractions  towards 
the  ship.  They  are  found  in  the  desolateness 
which  is  felt  in  many  home  circles,  in  bidding 
adieu  to  husbands,  sons,  and  brothers.  When 
the  anchor  is  weighed,  and  the  sails  are  spread 
to  the  faithful  breeze,  sadness  reigns  in  many 
households  and  in  many  hearts.  The  thoughts 
are  not  only  painfully  busy  concerning  present 
separations,  but  they  bound  forward  to  the 
future,  and  anticipate  what  may  be  the  experi- 
ence of  a  few  years  to  come.     Changes!   one 


awJS^pUiA; 


28 


THE  whaleman;  or, 


hardly  dares  think  of  them!  Amid  the  perib 
and  dangers  of  the  deep,  how  long  will  the 
ship's  company  remain  unbroken?  Will  the 
ship  ever  return,  and  reenter  her  port  again? 
Will  those  who  have  just  released  themselves 
from  the  embraces  of  friends,  and  wiped  away 
the  falling  tear,  and  baired  <their  hearts  to  the 
separation,  will  they  ever  return?  or,  if  they 
should,  will  they  ever  see  again  those  whom 
they  are  now  leaving?  These  inquiries  and 
reflections  find  expression  only  in  painful  emo- 
tions, sadness,  and  sorrow.  Time  will  make 
changes,  and  leave  its  ineffaceable  footprints  with 
every  passing  year. 

The  land  was  lost  sight  of  in  the  evening  of 
the  day  upon  which  we  sailed,  with  a  strong 
south-west  wind.  We  were  accompanied  out 
of  the  bay  by  two  other  outward  bound  whale 
ships  —  the  Columbus,  of  Fairhaven,  Captain 
Crowell,  and  the  Hunter,  of  New  Bedford,  Cap^ 
tain  Holt. 

After  the  usual  passage,  with  variable  winds, 
and  no  particular  incident  of  marked  importance, 
except  the  ordinary  and  certain  amount  of  sea- 
sickness on  board,  which  generally  attends  the 
uninitiated  in  their  first  interviews  with  "old 
Neptune,"  Cape  Verd  Islands  were  made  on  the 
4th  of  December. 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


29 


With  seasickness,  homesickness  follows ;  and 
then  it  is  that  many  of  the  inexperienced,  having 
left  good  homes  and  quiet  life,  wish  a  thousand 
times  that  they  had  never  "learned  the  trade." 
But  all  such  wishes  are  now  in  vain.  With 
a  new  life  on  shipboard  and  in  the  forecastle,  ro- 
mance passes  away,  and  leaves  in  its  place  the 
stern  outlines  of  a  living  reality.  Seasickness, 
however,  is  only  a  temporary  affair;  in  most 
cases,  indeed,  it  soon  subsides,  and  then  spirits 
and  hope  revive  with  recruited  and  invigorated 
health. 

We  took  our  departure  from  the  islands  on 
the  6th,  in  company  with  the  ship  Benjamin 
Tucker,  Captain  Sands;  strong  breezes,  north- 
east trades.  The  first  whales  were  seen  about 
lat.  30"  S.,  Ion.  31"  41'  W.,  distant  about  seven 
miles  —  light  winds.  We  set  signal  for  the 
Benjamin  Tucker,  four  or  five  miles  distant,  to 
notify  Captain  Sands  that  whales  were  in  sight 
—  an  agreement  we  made  while  sailing  in  com- 
pany. Boats  were  lowered;  the  mate  fastened 
to  a  whale,  which  brought  the  shoal  to.  The 
second  mate  was  less  successful;  his  boat  was 
stoven  by  a  whale,  and  his  men  were  floating 
about  upon  scattered  and  broken  pieces  of  the 
wreck.  Other  boats  soon  came  up  and  rescued 
their  companions.    The  ship  now  ran  down  to 


30 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


th©  boat  which  was  fastened  to  the  whale.  The 
whale,  however,  was  lost,  in  consequence  of  cut- 
ting the  line  in  the  act  of  lancing  him.  After  a 
pursuit  of  an  hour  or  more,  the  mate  fastened  to 
another  whale,  and  finally  secured  it,  though  it 
proved  to  be  of  but  little  pecuniary  value.  At 
the  same  time  the  boats  of  the  Benjamin  Tucker 
captured  a  whale,  but  they  could  not  boast  of 
much  superiority.  It  made  them  three  barrels. 
Thus  ended  the  first  whaling  scene  on  the  voy- 
age, and  certainly  not  a  very  profitable  day's 
work. 

The  Citizen  was  put  on  her  course.  We 
passed  several  ships  —  weather  good.  Decem- 
ber 20,  lat.  40"  S.,  whales  were  raised  again, 
but  took  no  oil.  Still  in  company  with  the 
Benjamin  Tucker.  On  Christmas  Eve,  Captain 
Sands  and  his  wife  took  tea  on  board  of  our 
ship,  thus  reviving  remembrances  of  home  and 
friends,  though  thousands  of  miles  distant  from 
our  native  port. 

The  next  incident  of  more  than  ordinary  in- 
terest was  another  whale  scene,  of  sufficient 
excitement  and  peril  to  satisfy  the  most  ardent 
and  aspiring. 

The  Benjamin  Tucker  had  luffed  to,  headed 
to  the  westward,  with  signal  to  the  Citizen  that 
whales  were  in  sight.     The  ship  Columbus  was 


'^t-'i 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


81 


then  in  company.  The  three  ships  were  in  full 
pursuit  of  the  monsters  of  the  deep.  The  school 
was  overtaken  in  course  of  an  hour  or  two  work- 
ing to  the  leeward.  At  first,  one  of  the  boats 
was  lowered  from  the  Citizen,  and  then  another, 
and  another,  until  four  boats  were  bounding  over 
the  waves,  each  seeking  to  be  laid  alongside  of 
his  victim,  and  join  in  the  uncertain  conflict. 
From  the  three  ships  there  were  twelve  boats 
pressing  forward  with  the  utmost,  celerity  to 
share  in  the  encounter,  and  each  emulous  to  bear 
off  his  prize.  The  fourth  boat  despatched  from 
the  Citizen  fastened  to  a  whale.  He  was  shortly 
lanced,  and  spouted  blood  —  a  sure  indication 
that  he  had  received  his  death  wound.  In  mor- 
tal agony,  he  plunged,  and  floundered,  and  min- 
gled the  warm  current  of  his  own  life  with  the 
foaming  waters  around  him.  Conscious,  ap- 
parently, of  the  authors  of  his  sufferings,  with 
rage  and  madness  he  at  once  attacked  the  boat, 
and  with  his  ponderous  jaws  seized  it,  and  in 
a  moment  bit  it  in  two  in  the  centre.  Nor 
was  there  any  time  to  be  lost  by  the  humble 
occupants  of  the  boat.  The  rules  of  courtesy 
and  ordinary  politeness  in  entertaining  a  superior 
were  for  the  time  being  laid  entirely  aside.  Each 
seaman  fled  for  his  life  —  some  from  the  stern, 
and  others  from  the  bow,  while  the  cracking 


V. 


«BI 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


liMudsMFGand  and  beneath  them  convinced  them 
^tast  1^8  whale  had  every  thing  in  his  own  way. 
Btitiides,  the  sensation  was  any  thing  but  pleas- 
tttft  ki  expecting  every  moment  to  become  fodder 
|K>  the  eitiraged  leviathan  of  the  deep.  In  quick 
Mtocession  those  enormous  jaws  fell,  accompa- 
nied Wilh  a,  deep,  hollow  moan  or  groan,  which 
livilioed  intense  pain,  that  sent  a  chill  of  terror  to 
Uttt  l^toatetrt  hearts.  They  felt  the  feebleness  of 
iAaft\(rk6ll  the  monster  arose  in  his  fury  and 
Mmigth.  A  boat  was  soon  sent  to  the  rescue 
ifi  the^  i^mpanions,  who  were  swimming  in 
€V^  (Erection,  to  avoid  contact  with  the  en- 
gaged wliale,  which  seemed  bent  on  destroying 
e^8iy  thing  within  his  reach.  He  really  asserted 
Mn  oilgtual  lordship  in  his  own  native  element, 
indlvaft  determined  to  drive  out  all  intruders. 
He  4^e»efore  attacked  the  second  boat,  and 
^uKMdd  |>tobably  have  ground  it  to  atoms,  had 
AOft<li  fdltunate  circumstance  of  two  objects  per- 
}Apti  DOBiewhat  disconcerting  him,  and  dividing 
^8  attention,  turned  him  off  from  his  purpose. 

The  captain  of  the  Citizen,  observing  the 
liffir^y  from  the  beginning,  was  soon  convinced 
that  Diatters  were  taking  rather  a  serious  direc- 
tkm,  and  that  not  only  the  boats  but  the  lives  of 
^  men  were  greatly  imperilled.  He  therefore 
i0Vd^ped  the  fifth  boat  to  be  instantly  lowered, 


NINE  MONTBd  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


manned  with  **  green  hands,"  the  command  of 
which  he  himself  assumed,  and  directed  in  pur- 
suit of  the  whale.  Five  boats  were  now  en- 
gaged in  the  contest,  with  the  exception  of  the 
one  stoven,  and  all  the  available  crew  and  offi- 
cers, including  the  captain,  concentrated  their 
efforts  and  energies  in  order  to  capture  this 
"  ugly  customer."  Just  at  the  moment  he  was 
attacking  or  had  already  attacked  the  second 
boat,  the  captain's  boat  appeared  on  the  ground, 
and  from  some  cause  best  known  to  himself,  the 
whale  immediately  left  the  former  and  assailed 
the  latter.  What  the  whale  had  already  done, 
and  what  he  appeared  determined  still  to  do, 
were  by  no  means  very  flattering  antecedents, 
and  would  very  naturally  impress  the  minds  of 
"  green  hands,"  especially,  that  whaling,  after  all, 
was  a  reality,  and  not  an  imaginary  aftair  or 
ordinary  pastime. 

On,  therefore,  the  whale  came  to  the  captain's 
boat,  ploughing  the  sea  before  him,  jaws  extend- 
ed, with  the  fell  purpose  of  destroying  whatever 
he  might  chance  to  meet.  As  he  approached  near, 
the  lance  was  thrust  into  his  head  and  held  in 
that  position  by  the  captain,  and  by  this  means 
he  was  kept  at  bay,  while  the  boat  was  driven 
astern  nearly  half  a  mile.  In  this  manner  he 
was  prevented  from  coming  any  nearer  to  the 
3 


34 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


boat)  the  boat  moving  through  the  water  as  fast 
and  as  long  as  he  pressed  his  head  against  the 
point  of  the  lance.  This  was  the  only  means 
of  their  defence.  It  was  a  most  fortunate  cir- 
cumstance in  a  most  trying  situation.  If  the 
handle  of  the  lance  had  broken,  they  would  have 
been  at  the  mercy  of  a  desperate  antagonist. 
The  countenances  of  the  boys  were  pallid  with 
fear,  and  doubtless  the  very  hair  upon  their  heads 
stood  erect.  It  was  a  struggle  for  life.  It  was 
death  presented  to  them  under  one  of  the  most 
frightful  forms.  They  were,  however,  as  singu- 
larly and  as  suddenly  relieved  as  they  were  un- 
expectedly attacked.  The  whale  caught  sight 
of  the  ship,  as  was  supposed,  which  was  running 
down  towards  the  boats,  and  suddenly  started 
for  the  new  and  larger  object  of  attack.  This 
was  observed  by  the  captain,  who  immediately 
made  signal  to  keep  the  ship  off  the  wind,  which 
would  give  her  more  headway,  and  thus,  if  pos- 
sible, escape  a  concussion  which  appeared  at 
first  sight  inevitable.  The  whale  started  on  his 
new  course  towards  the  ship  with  the  utmost 
velocity,  with  the  intention  of  running  into  her. 
The  consequences  no  one  could  predict;  more 
than  likely  he  would  have  either  greatly  disa- 
bled the  ship,  or  even  sunk  her,  had  he  struck 
her  midships.     To  prevent  such  a  catastrophe  -^ 


(-2 


NINE  MONTHP   IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


86 


the  injury  of  the  ship,  and  perhaps  the  ruin  of 
the  voyage  —  every  thing  now  seemed  to  depend 
upon  the  direction  of  the  ship  and  a  favoring 
wind.  Every  eye  was  turned  towards  the  ship ; 
oars  were  resting  over  the  gunwale  of  the  boats, 
and  each  seaman  instinctively  fixed  in  his  place, 
while  anticipating  a  new  encounter  upon  a 
larger  scale,  the  results  of  which  were  fearfully 
problematical.  A  good  and  merciful  Providence, 
however,  whose  traces  are  easily  discernible  in 
the  affairs  of  men  both  upon  the  ocean  and  upon 
the  land,  opportunely  interfered.  The  ship  was 
making  considerable  headway.  The  whale 
started  on  a  bee  line  for  the  ship,  but  when  he 
came  up  with  her,  in  consequence  of  her  in- 
creased speed  before  the  wind,  he  fell  short  some 
ten  or  twelve  feet  from  the  stern.  The  crisis 
was  passed.  On  he  sped  his  way,  dragging  half 
of  the  boat  still  attached  to  the  lines  connected 
with  the  irons  that  were  in  his  body.  His  death 
struggle  was  long  and  violent.  In  about  half 
an  hour  he  went  into  his  "  flurry,  and  turned 
up."  Colors  were  set  for  the  boats  to  return  to 
the  ship ;  the  dead  whale  was  brought  alongside, 
cut  in,  boiled  out,  and  seventy-five  barrels  of 
sperm  oil  were  stowed  away. 

"We  copy  the  following  whale  incident  from 
the  Vineyard  Gazette  of  October  14, 1853.  The 
editor  says,  — 


86 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OB, 


<<  We  are  indebted  to  Captain  Thomas  A.  Nor- 
ton, of  this  town,  one  of  the  early  commanders 
of  the  whale  ship  Hector,  of  New  Bedford,  for 
the  following  interesting  particulars  relative  to 
an  attack  upon  and  final  capture  of  an  ugly 
whale.  Captain  Norton  was  chief  mate  of  the 
Hector  at  the  time. 

"*  In  October,  1832,  when  in  lat.  12*'  S.,  Ion. 
80"  W,,  the  ship  ninety  days  from  port,  we  raised 
a  whale.  The  joyful  cry  was  given  of  "  There 
she  blows  I "  and  every  thing  on  board  at  once 
assumed  an  aspect  of  busy  preparation  for  the 
capture.  The  boats  were  lowered,  and  chase 
commenced.  When  we  got  within  about  three 
ships'  lengths  of  him,  he  turned  and  rushed  furi- 
ously upon  us.  He  struck  us  at  the  same  mo- 
ment we  fastened  to  him.  He  stove  the  boat 
badly ;  but  with  the  assistance  of  sails  which 
were  placed  under  her  bottom,  and  constant 
bailing,  she  was  kept  above  water.  The  cap- 
tain, John  O.  Morse,  came  to  our  assistance.  I 
told  him  he  had  better  keep  clear  of  the  whale ; 
but  he  said  he  had  a  very  long  lance,  and  wanted 
to  try  it  upon  the  rasca].  Captain  Morse  went  up 
to  the  whale,  when  all  at  once  he  turned  upon 
the  boat,  which  he  took  in  his  mouth,  and  held 
it  ^  right  up  on  end,''  out  of  the  water,  and 
shook  it  all  to  pieces  in  a  moment.    The  men 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ABCTIO. 


87 


wete  thrown  in  every  direction,  and  Captain 
Morse  fell 'from  a  height  of  at  least  thirty  feet 
into  the  water.  Not  being  satisfied  with  the 
total  destruction  of  the  boat,  he  set  to  Vork  and 
**  chewed  up  "  the  boat  kegs  and  lantern '  kegs, 
,and  whatever  fragments  of  the  boat  he  could 
find  floating  on  the  water.  At  this  stage  of  the 
*«  fight,'*  I  told  Captain  Morse  that  if  he  would 
give  me  the  choice  of  the  ship's  company,  1 
would  try  him  again.  It  was  desperate  work, 
to  all  appearance,  and  up  to  this  time  the  vicious 
Mow  had  had  it  all  hb  own  way.  The  captain 
was  in  favor  of  trying  kim  from  the  ship,  but 
finally- consented  for  us  to  attack  him  again  from 
a  boat.  With  a  f»cked  ciew,  we  again  approached 
the  whale,  now  lying  perfectly  still,  apparently 
ready  for  another  attack,  as  the  event  proved. 
Seeing  our  approach,  he  darted  towards  us  with 
his  mouth  wide  open,  his  ponderous  jaws  com- 
ing together  every  moment  with  tremendous 
energy.  We  gave  the  word  to  <*  stem  all,"  which 
was  obeyed  in  good  earnest  As  we  passed  the 
ship,  I  heard  the  captain  exclaim,  "  There  goes 
another  boat! "  She  did  go,  to  be  sure,  through 
the  water  with  all  speed,  but  fortunately  not  to 
destruction.  The  monster  chased  us  in  this  way 
for  half  a  mile  or  more,  during  most  of  which 
time  his  jaws  were  within  six  or  eight  inches  of 


88 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


the  head  of  the  boat.  Every  time  he  brought 
them  together,  the  concussion  could  be  heard  at 
the  distance  of  at  least  a  mile.  I  intended  to 
jump  overboard  if  he  caught  the  boat.  I  told 
Mr.  Mayhew,  the  third  mate,  who  held  the  steer- 
ing oar,  that  the  whale  would  turn  over  soon  to 
spout,  and  that  then  would  be  our  time  to  kill 
him.  After  becoming  exhausted,  he  turned  over 
to  spout,  and  at  the  same  instant  we  stopped  the 
boat,  and  buried  our  lances  deep  in  *^  his  life." 
One  tremendous  convulsion  of  his  frame  fol- 
lowed, and  all  was  still.  He  never  troubled  us 
more.  We  towed  him  to  the  ship,  tried  him  out, 
and  took  ninety  barrels  of  sperm  oil  from  him. 

"*  When  we  were  cutting  him  in,  we  found 
two  irons  in  his  body,  marked  with  the  name  of 
the  ship  Barclay,  and  belonging  to  the  mate's 
boat.  We  afterwards  learned  that  three  months 
before,  when  the  same  whale  was  in  lat.  5°  S., 
Ion.  105**  W.,  he  was  attacked  by  the  mate  of 
the  ship  Barclay,  who  had  a  desperate  struggle 
with  him,  in  which  he  lost  his  life.' 

"  Captain  Norton,  at  the  time  of  the  adven- 
ture with  this  whale,  had  *  seen  some  service,'  but 
he  freely  confesses  that  he  never  before  nor  since 
(though  he  has  had  his  buttons  bitten  off  his 
shirt  by  a  whale)  has  come  in  contact  with  such 
an  ugly  customer  as  •  the  rogue  whale,'  as  he 


M,i: 


NINE  MONTHS  IIT  THE  ARCTIC. 


89 


was  termed  in  sailor  parlance.  He  seemed  to 
possess  the  spirit  of  a  demon,  and  looked  as 
savage  as  a  hungry  hyena.  Our  readers  may 
imagine  the  effect  such  an  encounter  would  have 
upon  a  crew  of  *greei;  hands.'  During  the 
frightful  chase  of  the  boat  by  the  whale,  their 
faces  were  of  a  livid  whiteness,  and  their  hair 
stood  erect.  On  their  arrival  at  the  first  port, 
they  all  took  to  the  mountains,  and  few,  if  any 
of  them,  have  ever  been  seen  since." 

The  Citizen  was  put  on  her  course  again,  with 
strong  breezes  and  fair  wind.  About  five  days 
after,  we  spoke  with  the  Benjamin  Tucker,  but 
Captain  Sands  had  taken  no  oil.  In  lat.  47°  S. 
another  whale  was  raised ;  three  boats  were  low- 
ered in  pursuit,  but  before  he  could  be  reached 
by  the  irons,  he  turned  flukes,  and  was  seen  no 
more.  Lost  sight  of  he  Benjamin  Tucker.  We 
shaped  our  course  for  Statan  Land.  In  lat.  48" 
S.  we  experienced  a  very  heavy  gale  from  the 
south-west,  which  continued  with  great  severity 
for  twenty-four  hours.  We  spoke  with  the  bark 
Oscar,  Captain  Dexter,  bound  round  the  cape. 

Statan  Land  in  sight,  passed  seventeen  ships, 
all  bound  for  the  cape.  The  Citizen  was  eleven 
days  in  doubling  the  cape,  and  experienced  very 
heavy  weather.  In  lat.  54°  S.  we  raised  the  first 
right  whale,  but,  blowing  hard,  could  not  lower. 


/ 


V 


40 


THE  WHAUBMAN  ;  OR, 


Whiiles  were  in  sight  several  days  in  succession, 
but  we  could  not  lower,  on  account  of  rugged 
weather.  In  lat.  47°  S.  a  ship  was  discovered 
with  her  boats  down  in  pursuit  of  whales ;  came 
up  with  her;  lowered  for  right  whales,  and 
chased  them  for  an  hour  or  more,  but  took  none. 
At  this  time  we  spoke  with  the  ship  Columbus 
again,  with  one  of  her  boats  fastened  to  a  whale. 
She  had  one  boat  stoven. 

Passed  St.  Felix  Islands,  on  the  coast  of  Chili, 
and  sighted  the  Gallipagos.  In  crossing  the 
equator,  it  was  calm  for  twenty-seven  days,  and 
but  little  progress  was  made  during  that  time. 
On  the  20th  of  A]Hril,  1852,  after  a  passage  of 
more  than  five  months  from  New  Bedford,  we 
entered  the  port  of  Hilo. 

Hilo  is  a  port  on  the  Island  of  Hawaii,  one  oi 
the  cluster  of  islands  in  the  North  Pacific  Ocean 
called  Sandwich  Islands.  They  were  discovered 
by  Captains  Cook  and  King  in  1778,  who  gave 
them  their  present  name,  in  honor  of  the  first 
lord  of  the  admiralty.  The  group  consists  of  ten 
islands,  but  all  of  them  are  not  inhabited ;  they 
extend  from  lat.  18°  5(y  to  22°  20'  N.,  and  from 
Ion.  154°  53'  to  160°  15'  W.,  lying  about  one 
third  of  the  distance  from  the  western  coast  of 
Mexico  ^o  the  eastern  coast  of  China.  By  the 
census  of  1849,  the  population  of  seven  of  the 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


41 


islands  is  given  as  follows:  Hawaii,  27,204 
Oahu,  23,145;  Maui,  18,671;  Kauhai,  6,941 
Molokai,  3,429  ;  Nuhua,  723 ;  Lanai,  523 
amounting  to  80,641. 

Most  of  these  islands  are  volcanic  and  moun- 
tainous. In  several  places  the  volcanoes  are  in 
activity.  Some  of  the  mountains  are  of  great 
height,  being  estimated  at  fifteen  thousand  feet. 

The  climate  is  wann,  but  not  unhealthy,  the 
winter  being  marked  only  by  the  prevalence  of 
heavy  rains  between  December  and  March.  A 
meteorological  table  gives  as  the  greatest  heat 
during  the  year,  88°  of  Fahrenheit ;  as  the  least, 
61**.  Some  of  these  islands  are  distinguished 
for  the  cultivation  of  the  yam,  which  affords 
quite  a  valuable  supply  for  ships. 

The  situation  of  the  Sandwich  Islands  ren- 
ders them  important  to  vessels  navigating  the 
Northern  Pacific,  and  especially  so  to  whalemen. 
The  ports  of  Hilo,  Lahaina,  Honolulu,  and  a 
few  others,  are  the  resort  of  a  large  number  of 
whale  ships,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  recruits. 
They  may  be  considered  as  a  central  point, 
where  ships  meet  both  in  the  fall  and  spring, 
and  from  whence  aU  matters  of  intelligence  are 
transmitted  to  San  Francisco,  and  from  the  lat- 
ter place  to  the  Atlantic  States. 

Formerly  all  ship  news  and  letters  were  brought 


42 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


from  the  islands  to  the  Atlantic  States  by  home- 
ward bound  ships  around  the  Horn,  which  re- 
quired for  their  J)assages  from  three  and  a  half 
to  five  months.  But  now,  in  consequence  of 
mail  communications  across  the  isthmus  to  San 
Francisco,  and  from  thence  to  the  islands,  let- 
ters and  other  public  intelligence  from  the  last- 
named  place  reach  us  in  six  weeks  pr  two 
months  from  date. . 


jrvjp 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


43 


CHAPTER  II. 

Becraited  for  the  Arctic — Departure.  —  Coast  of  Eamtschatka. — 
Copper  Island. — Going  into  the  Ice  with  Captain  Crosby.  —  Gale 
of  Wind. — Dangerous  sailing  in  the  Ice.  —  Cape  Thaddeus. — Bay 
of  the  Holy  Cross.  —  Plover  Bay.  — -  Dead  Whale.  —  St.  Lawrence 
Bay.— Whales  working  north.— Loose,  floating  Ice.— Ice  cot- 
ered  with  Walrus.  —Fine  Weather.  —  Strildng  an  Iceberg.  —  Ship 
leaking.  —  Return  to  St.  Lawrence  Bay.'— Damage  repaired.— 
Arrival  in  the  Arctic. 


At  the  port  of  Hilo  the  ship  was  recruited  for 
the  Arctic.  We  remained  in  port  fifteen  days, 
sailed  for  Honolulu,  and  left  letters  for  owners 
and  for  home.  We  touched  at  another  port  be- 
fore proceeding  to  the  north,  and  there  we  toojc 
in  an  additional  supply  of  provisions,  and  then 
directed  our  course  towards  the  straits. 

In  Ion.  180"  W.  we  hauled  to  the  north  towards 
the  coast  of  Kamtschatka.  Passed  Copper  Isl- 
and. We  saw  many  ships  on  our  passage  thus 
far,  but  we  took  no  whales  until  June. 

About  this  time  we  captured  two  whales  off 
shore,  and  found  great  quantities  of  ice.  Spoke 
with  Captain  Crowell,  of  the  ship  Columbus, 
and  Captain  Crosby,  of  the  ship  Cornelius  How- 
'and. 


V 


44 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR 


We  went  into  the  ice  with  Captain  Crosby,  in 
search  of  whales,  and  soon  found  them ;  boats 
were  lowered  ;  pursuit  commenced ;  several  were 
struck ;  but  our  irons  drew,  and  we  therefore  lost 
them. 

A  gale  of  wind  coming  on  and  increasing,  we 
worked  out  of  the  ice  as  soon  as  possible.  We 
were  at  that  time,  when  the  gale  commenced, 
some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  in  the  floating  and 
broken  masses,  of  varied  thickness  and  dimen- 
sions, greatly  obstructing  the  course  of  the  ship, 
and  rendering  her  situation  at  times  exceedingly 
dangerous.  But  by  constant  tacking  and  wear- 
ing in  order  to  avoid  concussion  with  the  ice,  or 
being  jammed  between  opposite  pieces,  both 
ships  were  finally  worked  out  of  the  ice  in 
safety. 

On  the  inside  of  Cape  Thaddeus,  we  saw  a 
large  number  of  ships ;  spoke  with  several,  but 
they  reported  that  whales  were  scarce. 

We  now  put  the  ship  on  her  course  for  Behr- 
ing  Straits.  We  took  one  whale  off  the  Bay  of 
the  Holy  Cross,  which  made  the  fourth  since  we 
left  port.  We  sailed  along  the  coast  towards  the 
east;  land  frequently  in  sight;  foggy;  heard 
many  guns  from  ships  for  their  boats. 

When  off  Plover  Bay,  ten  miles  from  land,  we 
picked  up  a  dead  whale,  having  no  irons  in  him, 


f  \ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


45 


nor  anchored,  and  therefore  a  lawful  prize.  Many 
dead  whales  are  found  by  ships  in  course  of  the 
season,  and  especially  when  ice  is  prevalent. 
They  are  struck  by  different  boats,  and  if  in  the 
vicir\ity  of  ice,  they  will  surely  make  for  it,  and 
go  under  it  or  among  it ;  under  these  circum- 
stances the  lines  must  be  cut.  After  pome  time, 
the  badly  wounded  whales  die,  and  are  picked  up 
as  before  stated.  , 

We  passed  between  St.  Lawrence  Island  and 
the  main  land,  or  Indian  Point.  The  huts  of  the 
natives  were  plainly  seen  from  the  ship's  deck ; 
still  working  our  way  towards  the  straits.  At 
this  time,  we  were  in  company  with  the  ship 
Montezuma,  Captain  Tower,  and  the  ship  Al- 
mira.  Captain  Jenks.  Whales  were  seen  going 
towards  the  north,  as  it  is  usual  for  them  to  do  so 
at  this  season  of  the  year. 

We  anchored  in  St.  Lawrence  Bay ;  weather 
foggy.  The  natives  came  off  to  trade,  and 
brought  their  accustomed  articles  for  traffic,  such 
as  deer  and  walrus  skins,  furs,  teeth,  &c.  They 
take  in  exchange  needier,  fancy  articles,  tobac- 
co, &c. 

After  a  few  days,  the  fog  having  cleared  away 
somewhat,  we  stood  towards  the  north  again; 
heard  guns ;  saw  whales ;  still  in  company  with 
afore-mentioned  ships;  blowing  heavy;  all  the 


I  h 


V 


THE  WHALEMAN:  OB, 


ships  in  sight  were  under  double-reefed  topsails ; 
beating. 

Passed  East  Cape.  Saw  whales,  but  they 
were  working  quickly  to  the  north ;  we  followed 
them  in  their  track  with  all  the  sail  we  could  car- 
ry on  the  ship ;  they  came  to  loose,  floating  ice, 
into  which  they  went  and  shortly  disappeared. 
A  novel,  and  yet  a  common  sight  was  now  wit- 
nessed ;  the  ice  was  covered  with  a  vast  number 
of  walruses,  which,  to  appearance,  extended 
many  miles. 

The  weather  being  fine  for  the  season,  the  last 
part  of  June,  in  company  with  the  Almira,  Cap- 
tain Jenks,  we  concluded  We  would  go  into  the 
ice  again,  and  if  good  fortune  would  have  it  so, 
we  might  capture  a  few  whales. 

Accidents  occur  not  unfrequently  when  least 
expected,  and  sad  ones,  too,  arise  sometimes  from 
the  slightest  circumstance,  or  inattention.  Con- 
tact with  icebergs,  or  large  masses  of  block  ice, 
when  a  ship  is  under  sail,  is  highly  dangerous.  A 
momentary  relaxation  of  vigilance  on  the  part 
of  the  mariner  may  bring  the  ship's  bows  on  the 
submerged  part  of  an  iceberg,  whose  sharp,  nee- 
dle-like points,  hard  as  rock,  instantly  pierce  the 
planks  and  timbers  of  a  ship,  and  perhaps  open 
a  fatal  leak.  Many  lamentable  shipwrecks  have 
doubtless  resuHed  from  this  cause.     In  the  long, 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


49 


heavy  swell,  so  common  in  the  open  sea,  the 
peril  of  floating  ice  is  greatly  increased,  as  the  huge 
angular  masses  are  rolled  and  ground  against 
each  other  with  a  force  which  nothing  can  resist. 

The  striking  of  the  Citizen  against  a  mass  of 
ice,  which  nearly  resulted  in  the  loss  of  the  ship 
and  the  destruction  of  the  voyage,  was  simply 
inattention  or  misunderstanding  the  word  of  com- 
mand. 

The  man  at  the  wheel  wat'  ordered  not  to 
"  luff"  the  ship  any  more,  but  "  steady,"  as  sho 
was  approaching  a  mass  of  ice  ;  indeed,  ice  was 
all  around  us,  which  would  have  passed  us  on 
our  larboard  bow,  and  thus  we  should  have  es- 
caped a  concussion ;  but  instead  of  doing  this, 
he  put  the  wheel  down,  which  brought  the  ship 
into  the  wind,  and  the  consequence  was,  a  large 
hole  was  stoven  in  her  larboard  bow ;  the  ship 
began  to  leak  badly.  Casks  were  immediately 
filled  with  water,  and  placed  on  the  starboard 
side  of  the  ship,  and  thus  in  a  measure  heeled 
the  ship,  which  brought  the  leak  to  a  considera- 
ble extent  out  of  the  water ;  otherwise,  she  must 
have  sunk  in  a  very  little  time.  So  far  as  we 
were  able,  we  temporarily  repaired  the  injury, 
and  made  all  possible  sail  on  the  ship,  in  order 
to  seek  some  place  of  safety,  where  the  whole 
extent  of  the  damage  could  be  ascertained. 
4 


50 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


r 


In  the  present  disabled  and  crippled  condition 
of  the  ship,  we  felt  it  waa^xceedingly  perilous 
and  unsafe  to  remain  even  a  single  day  in  the 
Arctic.  We  therefore  left  the  whale  ground,  and 
though  our  progress  was  slow,  yet  we  put  upon 
the  ship  all  the  sail  she  would  bear,  since  on  ac- 
count of  the  leak  she  was  very  much  heeled,  and 
we  Were  obliged  to  sail  her  in  that  condition. 

Nor  was  it  safe  for  our  ship  to  be  left  alone  to 
beat  her  way  back  two  hundred  miles  or  more. 
Unaccompanied  by  another  vessel,  lest  by  some 
Unforeseen  circumstance,  —  an  event  not  alto- 
gether improbable,  —  the  ship  might  founder  at 
sea,  and  all  on  board  perish. 

Captain  Jenks,  of  th?  ship  Almira,  therefore, 
kindly  proffered  his  services,  with  whatever  aid  he 
Could  give,  and  accompanied  our  ship  nearly  to 
the  point  of  her  destination,  to  the  Bay  of  St. 
Lawrence,  which  was  about  two  hundred  miles 
distant  from  the  place  where  the  accident  oc- 
curred. 

When  off  East  Cape,  we  obtained  some  plank 
from  the  ship  Citizen,  Captain  Bailey,  of  Nan* 
tucket.  We  passed  the  heads  of  the  bay,  and, 
with  shortened  sail,  we  worked  our  way  up  more 
than  thirty  miles  beyond  the  direction  of  any 
chart,  our  boats  being  sent  ahead,  and  sounding 
the  depth  of  water.     We  finally  reached  a  point. 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THB  ABGTIC. 


51 


and  came  to  anchor  in  a  little  basin,  or  inlet, 
about  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  from  the  shore, 
in  five  fathoms  of  water,  completely  landlocked. 

Here  in  good  earnest  we  commenced  break- 
ing out  the  fore  hold  abreast  of  the  leak,  and 
took  out  casks,  shooks,  &c.,  and  careened  the 
ship  still  more,  which  exposed  at  once  the  full 
extent  of  the  damage  which  the  ship  had  sus- 
tained from  the  ice. 

It  was  found  that  several  planks  and  timbers 
were  badly  stoven.  Repairs  were  made  with  the 
utmost  expedition ;  and  in  seven  days  from  the 
time  the  ship  went  into  the  bay,  she  was  out 
again,  aoi  on  her  way  towards  the  north,  as 
strong,  and  perhaps  stronger  than  she  was  before. 

We  passed  through  the  straits,  and  came  to 
anchor  north  of  East  Cape,  in  company  with  the 
ship  E.  Frazer,  Captain  Taber,  and  the  bark 
Martha,  Captain  Crocker.  After  lying  there 
three  or  four  days,  we  got  under  weigh  and  stood 
towards  north  by  west,  with  high  winds,  and  fog- 
gy. We  heard  whales  blowing  in  the  night. 
The  next  day  whales  were  seen  going  north ;  we 
followed,  and  finally  passed  the  "  school."  We 
changed  the  course  of  the  ship,  beat  back,  found 
them  again,  and  commenced  taking  oil. 

About  the  first  of  August,  the  fog  having 
cleared  away,  we  saw  a  large  number  of  ships 


(J 


•'I 


i 


V      \ 


52 


THE  WHALEMAN;   OR, 


"  cutting  in  "  and  "boiling  out,"  actively  engaged 
in  securing  a  good  season's  work.  We  took  sev- 
eral whales  at  this  time.  All  were  busy,  and  at 
work  as  fast  as  possible,  in  capturing  whales, 
cutting  and  boiling.  The  whole  scene,  in  which 
were  some  forty  or  fifty  ships  taking  whales  and 
Btowing  away  oil,  was  one  of  exciting  and  cheer- 
ing interest 

Such  times  as  these  are  the  whalemen's  har- 
vests. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  during  a  heavy  blow, 
we  lost  run  of  the  whales.  We  spoke  with  sev- 
eral ships  about  this  time,  among  which  were  the 
Benjamin  Morgan,  Captain  Capel,  and  the  Gen- 
eral ScQtt,  Captain  Alexander  Fisher. 

From  this  last  date  to  the  22d  of  September, 
we  spoke  with  a  great  number  of  ships ;  some- 
times whales  were  plenty,  and  at  other  times 
scarce  ;  and  the  weather  equally  changeable  ; 
sometimes  heavy  blows,  rainy,  and  foggy;  and 
then  again  mild  and  pleasant. 

Among  others  we  spoke  with  Captain  Henry 
Jernegan,  and  Captain  John  Fisher,  both  of 
whom  are  now  no  more,  having  finished  their 
earthly  voyages,  and  gone  to  their  "  long  home." 


'  \ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


58 


CHAPTER    III. 


Northern  Lights. — High  Winds.  —  Spoke  with  Captain  Clough.— 
Ships  seen  in  the  Distance.  —  Storm  increasing.  —No  ObBenrations. 

—  Blowing  heavily.  —  Scene  awftilly  sublime.  —  Ship  struck  by  a 
Sea. — Shoal  Water.  —  Kocks  and  Breakers. — Ship  unmanageable. 

—  Fore  and  mizzen  Topsails  carried  away.  —  Ship  striking  astern, 
bow,  and  midships.  —  Foremast  cut  away.  —  Narrow  Escape  of 
Captain  Norton.  —  Mizzenmast  gone  by  the  Board.  —  Sad  Condition 
of  the  Seamen.  —  Land  in  Sight.  —  Ship  drifting  towards  the  Shore. 

—  Undertow.  —  The  Lantern  Keg.  —  Mainmast  cut  away,  and  foil- 
ing towards  the  Shore. —  Men  escaping  on  ^he  Mast. — Trying 
Scene. —  Captain  washed  ashore.  —  Affecting  Deaths. —Wreck 
piled  up  on  Shore.  —  Fire  made.  —  Men  perishing  with  Cold  — 
Five  missing.  —  Prospects  dark.  —  Destitution.  —  Tent  erected.  — 
Merciful  Circumstances  connected  with  the  Wrecl^. 

On  the  21  st  of  September,  we  finished  cutting 
in  a  whale,  about  twelve  o'clock,  midnight,  wind 
high  from  the  north-east.  The  northern  lights 
were  uncommonly  brilliant,  which  prognosticated 
a  storm ;  and  the  broken  water  and  flying  spray 
round  the  vessel  seemed  as  if  composed  of  an 
infinite  number  of  diamonds  glistenmg  in  the 
rays  of  the  sun. 

The  season  of  the  year  had  now  arrived  in 
which,  in  those  high  latitudes,  sudden  changes 
and  violent  storms  were  expected.  At  three 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the  ship  was 


( 


V 


54 


THE   WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


'i 


put  under  short  sail ;  rough ;  unable  to  keep  fires 
in  the  furnace;  ship  heading  to  the  south-east. 
We  spoke  with  Captain  Clough,  who  had  just 
taken  in  a  "  raft "  of  blubber.  We  took  a  whale ; 
and  for  a  little  time  the  wind  moderated,  which 
gave  us  hope  that  we  should  have  favorable 
weather  some  time  longer.  Captain  Clough  left 
us  that  day,  and  turned  his  ship  towards  the 
straits,  saying,  "  I  am  bound  out  of  the  ocean, 
and  have  enough."  His  ship  was  full ;  he  had 
thirty-two  hundred  barrels  of  oil  o?i  board. 

We  concluded  to  remain  on  the  ground  a 
while  longer,  in  lat.  68°  N.  The  wind,  which 
had  in  a  measure  subsided,  now  began  to  rise 
and  increase,  until  it  had  reached  a  heavy  gale. 
We  saw  ill  the  distance  several  ships  steering 
for  the  straits,  and  bound  for  the  islands.  On 
the  23d,  it  blew  hard,  and  we  were  unable  to 
boil. 

We  judged  we  were,  at  this  time,  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  land.  The  weather 
had  been  thick  for  several  days  past,  and  there- 
fore we  were  unable  to  get  an  observation.  We 
saw  several  ships  lying  to,  and  heading  some 
one  way  and  some  another.  The  water,  we  per- 
ceived, was  very  much  colored,  which  indicated 
that  we  were  drifting  towards  the  eastern  shore 
of  the   Arctic.     At  twelve  o'clock,  wore  ship, 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE!  ARCTIC. 


Vi 


heading  north-west  by  north.  At  the  same 
hour  that  night,  wore  ship  again,  heading  north- 
east. V 

We  passed  a  ship,  within  the  distance  of  half  a 
a  mile,  under  bare  poles,  laboring  very  hard.  On 
the  94th,  four  o'clock,  wore  ship  north-north-west, 
wind  blowing  very  heavily  from  tHe  north-east. 
We  saw  great  quantities  of  drift  stuff,  such  as 
barrels,  wood,  &c.,  probably  the  deck  load  of 
some  ship  swept  by  the  sea.  At  twelve  o'clock, 
wore  ship  again ;  the  wind  appeared  to  lull  some- 
what, but  the  sea  was  very  rugged ;  v^e  judged 
we  were  about  one  hundred  or  one  hmidred  and 
twenty  miles  distant  from  land ;  weather  thick, 
with  rain,  sleet,  and  fog.  About  one  o'clock,  on 
the  morning  of  the  25th,  the  wind  increased,  and 
swept  over  the  ocean  with  the  violence  of  a 
hurricane.  The  darkness  of  the  night  added  to 
the  tumultuous  and  mountainous  waves  that 
were  running  at  that  time;  the  surface  of  the 
ocean  lashed  into  fury  by  the  thickening  stonn, 
still  gathering  its  strength ;  the  noble  ship  now 
rising  the  crested  billow,  and  then  sinking  into 
the  watery  valley  beneath,  and  pressed  down  by 
the  beating  and  overwhelming  elements,  made 
the  scene  one  of  indescribable  grandeur  and 
awfulness.  Wi+h  the  return  of  morning  light, 
an  ugly  sea  struck  the  ship,  and  took  her  spars 


V, 


56 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


from  the  bow,  and  carried  away  one  of  the  star- 
board boats. 

The  mate  immediately  reported  to  the  captain, 
who  was  below  at  the  time,  that  the  ship  was  in 
shoal  water.  As  soon  as  he  reached  the  deck, 
he  ordered  to  set  the  fore  and  mizzen  topsails. 
About  the  same  time,  the  fourth  mate  reported 
that  there  were  rocks  and  breakers  just  before 
and  under  the  bows  of  the  ship.  From  the 
house,  the  captain  saw  projecting  rocks  through 
the  opening  waters,  and  land  all  around  to  the 
leeward,  while  the  sea  was  breaking  with  tre- 
mendous violence  between  the  ship  and  shore. 

It  now  became  a  certainty,  which  no  earthly 
power  could  change,  that  the  ship  must  go 
ashore ;  and  the  only  hope  for  any  one  on  board 
was  to  avoid,  if  possible,  the  fatal  reef,  which 
appeared  to  extend  out  some  distance  from  the 
land.  To  strike  upon  that  reef  was  certain  de- 
struction ;  we  saw  no  way  of  escape. 

The  man  at  the  wheel  was  ordered  to  put  the 
helm  hard  up,  and  at  the  same  time  command 
was  given  to  the  seamen  to  sheet  home  the  fore 
topsail.  The  ship  immediately  paid  off'  two  or 
three  points,  when  she  was  struck  again  by 
another  sea,  that  threw  her  round  on  the  other 
tack. 

The  ship  was  now  in  the  midst  of  the  rollers, 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


57 


pitching  and  laboring  dreadfully,  while  the  sea 
was  flying  all  over  her  deck,  and  the  spray  reach- 
ing nearly  or  quite  to  her  fore  and  main  yards. 
She  was  utterly  unmanageable ;  and,  at  this  in- 
stant, another  sea  boarded  her,  and  took  off  three 
boats.  The  yards  were  ordered  to  be  braced 
round  as  soon  as  possible;  but,  in  the  act  of 
bracing  them,  a  terrible  blast  of  wind  struck  and 
carried  away  the  fore  and  mizzen  topsails,  half- 
sheeted  home.  The  foresail  was  now  ordered  to 
be  set,  the  ship  still  pitching,  tumbling,  and  roll- 
ing frightfully,  and  tossed  about  as  a  mere  play- 
thin;'  he  mercy  of  winds  and  waves.  In  the 
act  1  ;  -tting  the  foresail,  the  weather  clew  was 
carried  away,  and  with  the  next  sea  the  ship 
struck  aft  very  heavily,  and  knocked  her  rudder 
off,  and  sent  the  wheel  up  through  the  house. 
From  five  to  eight  minutes  she  struck  forward 
with  such  stunning  and  overwhelming  effect  that 
the  try-works  started  three  or  four  feet  from  the 
deck,  and  opened  a  hole  so  large  in  her  starboard 
bow  that  the  largest  casks  came  out. 

About  this  time,  the  foremast  was  cut  away, 
with  the  hope  of  temporarily  relieving  the  foun- 
dering vessel.  Shortly  after  this,  the  ship  struck 
midships ;  and  the  dreadful  crash  which  followed 
showed  that  her  entire  fi-amework  was  shattered, 
while  the  standing  masts  bent  to  and  fro  like 


58 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


slender  reeds  when  shaken  by  the  wind.  This 
was  in  effect  the  finishing  blow;  and  what  was. 
to  be  done  towards  rescuing  any  thing  below  deck 
must  be  doi>e  soon  or  never. 

The  capcain,  at  this  critical  juncture,  went 
in  CO  the  cabin  to  secure  what  articles  he  could* 
such  as  clothes,  nautical  instruments,  money,  &c. 
While  there,  the  stern  burt^^t  in,  and  the  water 
came  in  between  the  opering  timbers  in  such 
torrents  as  to  s^nd  him  backward  and  headlong 
with  the  few  articles  he  had  hastily  gathered,  and 
Scattered  them  in  every  direction.  The  floor  of 
the  cabin  opened  beneath  his  feet.  There  was 
no  time  for  delay.  His  life  wai  in  imminent 
peril.  He  at  once  started  for  the  deck,  but  was 
unable  to  reach  it  on  account  of  the  house  hav- 
ing been  thrown  down  upon  the  gangway,  and 
the  mizzenmast  having  gone  by  the  board,  one 
part  of  which  rested  upon  the  rail.  All  access  to 
the  deck  by  the  cabin  doors  was  thus  cut  off. 

Mr.  Fisher  became  aware  of  the  condition  of 
the  captain  in  the  cabin,  and  called  to  him  to 
come  to  the  skylight;  and  as  he  jumped,  he  was 
caught  by  his  arms,  and  drawn  up  by  several 
who  had  come  to  his  rescue.  On  reaching  the 
deck,  the  captain  saw  at  once  the  sad  condition 
of  his  men.  The  sea  was  making  a  clear  breach 
over  the  vessel,  and  they  were  huddled  together 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


59 


round  the  forecastle  and  forward  part  of  the 
ship,  amazed,  stupefied,  cold,  and  shivering,  and 
had  apparently  given  themselves  up  to  the  fate 
which  awaited  them. 

The  fog  having  in  a  measure  cleared  away,  the 
land  was  more  plainly  seen,  and  just  at  hand  — 
not  more  than  three  hundred  yards  distant.  The 
mainmast  was  still  standing ;  and  there  was 
every  indication  that  the  entire  top  of  the  vessel, 
including  the  first  and  second  decks,  had  become 
separated  from  her  bottom,  and  was  drifting  in 
towards  the  shore.  This  proved  to  be  the  case. 
The  standing  mast  was  now  inclining  towards 
the  shore,  which  seemed  to  present  the  only  way 
to  deliverance  and  life.  The  captain,  therefore, 
encouraged  his  men  to  seize  the  first  opportunity 
which  should  occur,  and  escape  to  land,  ana  the 
sooner  they  did  so  the  safer  and  better. 

As  the  ship  changed  her  position  by  the  action 
of  the  waves,  which  swept  over  and  around  her 
with  resistless  fury,  the  end  of  the  flying  jib 
boom,  at  one  time,  was  brought  quite  near  the 
shore.  The  seamen  were  again  urged  to  make 
an  effort  to  save  themselves.  It  was,  indeed,  a 
most  desperate  chance  to  venture  an  escape  even 
from  a  present  danger,  with  the  liability  of  i'alling 
into  aiiother,  unknown,  and  perhaps  more  to  be 
dreaded.   Though  so  near  the  solid  land,  towards 


V 


60 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


i. 


which  every  eye  looked  and  every  heart  panted, 
still  the  surging  billows  and  receding  undertow 
around  the  bow  of  the  ship,  were  sufficient  to 
appall  the  most  courageous  mind. 

About  this  time,  as  near  as  can  be  recollected, 
the  cooper  and  one  of  the  boat  steerers,  having 
dropped  themselves  from  the  bow,  reached  land 
in  safety.  The  captain,  having  observed  that 
two  had  gained  the  shore,  and  knowing  the  utter 
impossibility  of  getting  fire  ashore  if  it  was  de- 
ferred until  the  breaking  up  of  the  ship,  and  with- 
out it  all  must  unavoidably  perish,  even  if  they 
were  saved  from  a  watery  grave,  held  up  the  lan- 
tern keg  to  attract  their  attention,  and,  making 
signs  to  them  as  far  he  was  able  for  them  to  look 
after  and  save  it,  tossed  the  keg  overboard.  It . 
was  borne  on  the  advancing  and  retreating  waves 
back  and  forth  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile, 
before  it  was  finally  secured.  In  this  keg,  which 
was  air-tight,  there  were  candles,  matches,  tinder, 
and  other  combustible  materials.  It  was  indeed 
a  most  timely  and  fortunate  rescue. 

An  effort  was  now  made  to  get  a  line  ashore. 
One  of  the  crew  fastened  a  line  round  his  Icdy, 
and  attempted  to  reach  the  shore,  the  captain 
paying  out  the  warp  as  was  necessary.  But  in 
consequence  of  the  great  force  of  the  current  and 
undertow  around  the  bow. of  the  ship,  the  line 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


61 


swayed  out  so  far  that  the  man  was  compelled 
to  let  it  go  in  order  to  save  his  Ufe.  It  was  with 
the  greatest  difficulty  he  reached  the  shore. 

As  the  only  and  last  resort  which  remained, 
offering  reasonable  prospect  of  deliverance,  the 
mainmast  was  cut  away.  The  ship  was  now 
lying  nearly  broadside  to  the  shore,  with  her  deck 
inboard,  and  so  much  heeled  that  it  required  the 
greatest  attention  to  prevent  one  from  falling  off. 
The  mast  fell  in  the  direction  cf  the  shore,  and 
nearly  reached  land.  The  sea  was  still  breaking 
with  fearful  power  over  the  vessel,  and  its  spray 
flying  in  dense  masses  over  every  thing  around 
us,  and  the  din  of  the  thundering  billows,  as  they 
beat  upon  the  wreck  and  upon  the  shore,  drowned 
all  human  voices  to  silence. 

Again  the  captain  passed  along  to  the  forward 
part  of  the  ship,  and  once  more  remonstrated, 
urged  and  entreated  his  men  to  exert  themselves 
for  their  safety  and  lives,  as  they  had  now  the 
same  means  of  getting  ashore  that  the  officers 
had ;  and,  furthermore,  that  in  a  short  time  the 
deck  would  go  to  pieces,  and  then  there  would 
be  but  little,  if  any  hope  of  their  being  saved. 
He  resolved  he  would  not  leave  the  wreck  until 
he  saw  his  men  in  a  fair  way  of  escape.  Up  to 
this  time,  no  one,  it  is  supposed,  had  been  lost ; 
several  Jiad  reached  land  in  safety,  but  those  still 


62 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


on  the  wreck  were  exposed  every  moment  to  a 
watery  grave. 

At  length,  the  steerage  boy  lowered  himself 
down  from  the  bow,  and  with  manly  efforts 
sought  to  gain  the  land.  He  was  immediately 
swept  away,  and  was  never  seen  after.  About 
this  time,  many  began  to  crawl  down  on  the 
mainmast,  still  lying  in  the  direction  of  the 
shore.  In  working  their  way  along  on  the  mast, 
their  progress  was  not  only  slow,  but  they  were 
chilled,  benumbed  with  cold,  their  clothes  thor- 
oughly wet«.to  their  backs,  and  the  sea  at  the 
ftame  time  flying  over  them.  It  was  with  the 
greatest  difficulty  they  could  hold  on.  The  sight 
was  a  most  affecting  one.  It  was  a  period  of 
painful  anxiety.  How  many  of  these  seamen 
will  be  saved  ?  —  how  many  will  be  lost  ? 

While  attempting  thus  to  escape  upon  the 
mast,  the  advancing  or  the  returning  waves 
would  frequently  wash  numbers  off,  and  then 
they  would  struggle  with  all  their  energies  to 
regain  the  mast  or  the  rigging ;  while  those  who 
were--more  fortunate,  and  had  retained  their  hold, 
would  aid  them  as  far  as  possible  in  getting  on 
to  the  mast  again.  It  was  a  most  trying  and 
heart-rending  scene. 

The  captain  and  Mr.  Fisher  were  on  the  quar- 
ter deck,  and  observed  a  part  of  a  boat  hanging 


I 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


65 


by  the  side  of  the  ship ;  and  they  proposed  to  get 
into  it,  and,  if  possible,  reach  the  land.  Their 
purpose  was  to  hold  on  to  the  boat,  and  thus  be 
borne  by  the  sea  towards  the  shore.  They  did 
get  into  it ;  but  wheiher  it  was  carried  towards 
the  shore  or  not,  or  what  became  of  the  piece  of 
the  boat,  they  have  no  recollection.  They  were 
struck  by  a  sen.  and  probably  stunned.  The  first 
returning  consciousness  the  captain  had,  he  found 
himself  floating  alongside  of  the  ship.  He  knew 
not  what  had  become  of  Mr.  Fisher  until  some 
time  after.  He  regained  a  foothold  on  the  quarter 
deck  again,  and  seemed  awakened  more  fully  than 
ever  to  the  conviction  that  he  must  do  something, 
and  that  soon,  in  order  to  save  his  own  life.  He 
was  chilled,  benumbed,  and  exhausted ;  chances 
of  escape  appearing  less  and  less  probable,  as  a 
last  resort,  said  Captain  Norton,  "  I  threw  myself 
into  the  water,  among  casks,  broken  pieces  of  the 
wreck,  and,  besides,  my  own  men  floating  all 
around  me,  that  I  might,  if  possible,  gain  the 
shore.  I  was  probably  insensible  for  some  time. 
I  knew  nothing  of  what  took  place  around  me. 
When  I  came  to  myself,  I  found  I  was  lying 
near  the  edge  of  the  water,  having  been  cast 
ashore  by  some  friendly  wave.  I  looked  around, 
and  the  first  man  1  saw  was  the  fourth  mate, 
floating  about  in  the  water  a  short  distance  from 
6 


V. 


66 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OR, 


me.  Mr.  Fisher  was  washed  ashore  about  the 
same  time  I  was.  We  hastened  to  the  fourtk 
mate  as  soon  as  we  were  able ;  and  one  held  on 
to  the  hand  of  the  other,  and  hauled  him  ashore, 
supposing  him  to  be  dead.  He,  however,  re- 
vived." 

A  heavy  sea  came  along,  and  washed  a  num- 
ber from  the  mast,  and  brought  them  ashore  ;  but 
one  man  was  carried  off  by  the  undertow  outside 
the  ship.  The  next  sea  brought  him  near  to  the 
shore  again;  and  four  of  those  on  shore  took 
hold  of  each  other's  hands,  and  ventured  as  far 
as  safety  would  allow  into  the  water,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  drawing  him  safe  to  land. 

The  condition  of  the  carpenter  was  painful  and 
distressing  in  the  highest  degree;  yet  no  one 
could  help  him  —  no  earthly  power  coiild  afford 
him  any  assistance.  He  was  plainly  seen  by 
those  on  shore.  He  was  probably  washed  from 
the  mast,  with  some  others,  and  carried  out  to 
the  deck  again ;  and  while  there,  he  was  doubt- 
less caught  in  between  the  opening  planks  and 
timbers,  and  held  fast  by  his  legs ;  and  it  may 
be  he  was  otherwise  injured.  He  answered  no 
signs  made  to  him  firom  the  shore ;  he  made  no 
effort  to  free  himself  or  to  escape ;  and,  in  his 
case,  an  escape  was  an  impossibility.  In  that 
position,  his  head  dropped  upon  his  breast,  and 


f  \ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


07 


there  he  died.  Soon  after,  another  sea  struck 
the  deck,  and  broke  it  all  to  pieces.  The  largest 
part  that  could  be  seen  was  that  from  the  bow 
to  the  fore  chains. 

Another  painful  occiirrtMice  was  witnessed  by 
those  on  the  shore.  A  Portuguese  sailor  was 
discovered  Hoating  about  among  the  1  roken 
pieces  of  the  wreck,  among  casks,  baiTels,  &c. 
His  efforts  for  self-preservation  were  remarkable. 
His  shipmates  would  most  gladly  have  given  him 
a  helping  hand,  but  it  was  impossible  to  do  so. 
Every  heart  was  moved  with  sympathy  for  him. 
As  the  towering  wave  would  hurl  towards  him 
some  piece  of  the  wreck,  or  a  cask  or  barrel,  he 
was  seen  to  dive,  and  thus  avoid  being  crushed 
by  it.  This  he  did  repeatedly,  until,  from  ex- 
haustion or  injury,  or  both,  he  sunk  to  rise  no 
more. 

We  had  three  dogs  on  board,  but  they  were 
all  either  killed  or  drowned ;  and  of  three  hogs, 
only  one  got  ashore  alive.  Within  two  hours 
from  the  time  the  ship  first  struck,  the  wr,  ck  was 
piled  up  on  shore,  opposite  to  where  the  disaster 
occurred,  to  the  height  of  ten  fc.t  or  more. 
Spars,  timbers,  planks,  casks  both  whole  and  bro- 
ken, fehooks,  &c.,  were  thrown  together  in  fright- 
ful confusion  ;  and  in  this  promiscuous  mass  we 
saw  what  was  once  our  home  and  hope  on  the 


■v.. 


68 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OR, 


deep.  Here  we  saw  before  our  eyea  a  striking 
illustration  of  the  feebleness  of  man's  frail  bark, 
and  with  what  ease  it  is  torn  to  pieces,  and  scat- 
tered far  and  wide,  by  the  resistless  power  of  the 
elements. 

All  who  were  living  of  our  number  had  reached 
the  shore.  Those  that  were  saved  had  become 
greatly  chilled,  and  some  were  nearly  perishing. 
Notwithstanding  it  was  storming  at  the  time, 
one  of  the  first  efforts  of  a  part  of  our  men  was 
to  make  a  fire  over  a  cliff  some  little  distance 
from  the  shore,  affording  a  partial  protection  from 
the  wind  and  rain. 

In  searching  for  articles  as  they  came  ashore, 
we  discovered  a  small  keg  of  spirits,  which,  in 
our  condition  of  cold  and  destitution,  was  some- 
what reviving  to  all  our  minds.  Five  casks  of 
bread,  also,  were  cast  upon  the  beach;  but 
neither  beef  nor  pork  was  found.  The  latter 
probably  sunk  where  the  ship  left  her  bottom. 

The  whole  company  was  soon  gathered  round 
the  fire,  in  order  to  dry  our  clothes,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, to  obtain  some  additional  w  armth.  All,  how- 
ever, of  our  former  number  were  not  there;  it 
was  a  solemn  gathering,  and  the  appearance  of 
all  of  us  indicated  that  we  had  a  narrow  escape. 
Alas !  some  of  our  comrades  and  fellow-seamen 
were  left  behind  in  the  surges  of  the  deep,  or 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


69 


^ 


mingled  with  the  floating  wreck,  or  cast  with 
it  upon  the  shore.  The  roll  was  called  by  the 
captain,  and  thirty-three  answered  to  their  names ; 
five  were  numbered  with  the  dead. 

The  few  hours  of  the  past  had  been  full  of 
painful  and  distressing  interest.'  The  majority 
of  our  number  had  been  mercifully  rescued ;  but 
we  were  cast  shelterless,  with  a  small  supply  of 
provisions,  with  no  clothing,  only  what  was  upon 
our  backs,  upon  the  most  barren  and  desolate 
region  of  the  earth. 

What  were  our  present  prospects  ?  They  were 
dark  and  ominous  indeed.  A  new  voyage,  in 
effect,  was  just  opening  before  us,  with  dimin- 
ished numbers,  of  the  progress  and  termination 
of  which  we  could  not  even  entertain  a  reasonable 
conjecture;  yet  one  thing  was  certain — its  com- 
mencement was  inauspicious.  And,  though 
hope  might  measurably  sustain  our  minds,  stUl 
the  prospective  view  before  this  company  of  cast- 
away seamen  —  the  rigors  of  the  arctic  winter  be- 
fore us,  wholly  unprepared  with  clothing  to  with- 
stand the  merciless  and  long-continued  cold  of 
the  north,  uncertain  whether  there  would  be  any 
deliverance  for  us  by  any  friendly  sail,  or  what 
would  be  our  reception  among  the  natives,  —  in- 
deed, the  prospect  before  us  was  any  thing  but 
cheering  and  encouraging. 


70 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;    OB, 


But  here  we  were,  in  the  providence  oi  God, 
vessel  and  boats  gone,  at  an  unknown  distance 
from  civilized  life  and  from  the  settlements  of 
the  natives ;  this  was  our  present  lot.  Self-pres- 
ervation, therefore,  prompted  us  to  make  imme- 
diate efforts,  in  anticipation  of  what  we  might 
need  in  the  future.  A  common  misfortune  united 
all  our  interests  and  exertions. 

The  captain  ordered  that  every  thing  of  value 
to  them  in  their  present  circumstances  found 
among  the  wreck — such  as  provisions,  casks  of 
sails,  pieces  of  Canvas,  ropes,  broken  spars,  tools, 
whale  gearing,  &c.  —  should  be  selected,  and 
brought  out  of  the  reach  of  the  surf  and  the  ac- 
cumulation of  ice  upon  the  shore.  More  than  a 
thousand  barrels  of  oil  had  drifted  ashore,  and 
could  have  been  saved  had  some  vessel  arrived 
about  that  time.  A  temporary  tent  was  erected 
as  soon  as  possible,  in  which  various  articles 
could  be  stored,  as  well  as  afford  some  protection 
to  us  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 

There  were  two  circumstances  exceedingly 
favorable  in  our  disaster.  It  might  have  been 
much  worse,  and  no  one  might  have  lived  to 
relate  the  sad  event.  We  realized,  upon  the  re- 
view, that  this  would  have  been  our  certain  fate, 
had  the  ship  gone  ashore  in  the  night  time.  It 
was,  however,  daylight,  and  thus  we  had  a  clear 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


71 


view  of  our  condition,  danger,  and  prospects. 
Had  it  been  otherwise,  and  the  same  general  fea- 
tures of  the  wreck  been  transferred  to  the  dark- 
ness of  night,  we  do  not  believe  that  one  soul  of 
us  would  have  been  saved. 

The  other  favorable  circumstance  was,  v/e  were 
not  cast  upon  a  rocky  part  of  the  coast,  or  against 
some  high  and  precipitous  cliffs,  which  lift  their 
bold  and  defiant  fronts  against  the  surges  of  the 
ocean  far  into  deep  water ;  to  strike  against  such 
as  we  saw,  would,  at  the  first  concussion,  have 
been  the  last  of  the  ship  and  of  all  on  board. 

In  the  good  providence  of  God,  however,  we 
drifted  upon  a  part  of  the  coast  which  presented, 
for  half  of  a  mile  or  more,  quite  a  plain,  sandy 
beach.  We  were,  therefore,  wrecked  in  the  most 
fortunate  spot.  On  both  sides  of  us,  to  the  west 
and  south-east,  cliffs  began  to  rise,  and  broken 
and  abrupt  ledges  extended  some  distance  into 
the  sea.  Though  five  of  our  number  found  a 
watery  grave,  yet  the  fact  that  so  many  of  us 
reached  the  shore  was  a  matter  of  profound  grati- 
tude to  that  God  who  controls  the  elements,  and 
before  whom  the  sparrow  does  not  fall  to  the 
ground  without  his  notice. 


72 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OB, 


CHAP'iER  IV. 

First  Night  ou  Shore. — Sleeping  in  empty  Casks.  —  Parties  of  Ex- 
,ploration.  —  Dog  Tracks.  —  Arranf.ements  to  leave  the  Wreck.  ^ 
Desire  to  reach  East  Cape.  —  Refit ctions  upon  our  Condition.  — 
The  dead  Hog  roasted. —  The  "pet  Hog."  —  Company  travel  to- 
ward the  South  and  East. — Two  Natives  seen.  —  Parley. — Di- 
rected to  the  Settlemeirt.  —  The  old  Woman  and  her  Ceremony.  — 
The  second  Settlement. — Head  Man  cordial. — Men  distributed 
among  tha  Huts. — Not  able  to  reach  East  Cape.  —  Company  en- 
tertained. —  Motives  for  it.  —  Government  should  reward  the  Na- 
tives. 


The  first  night  we  spent  on  shore  was  a  very 
stormy  one.  There  were  rain,  sleet,  and  high 
winds  above  and  around  us ;  below  us,  on  the 
ground,  ice,  snow,  and  water  in  abundance.  Our 
tent,  which  was  a  hasty  and  temporary  construc- 
tion, afforded  as,  after  all,  but  little  permanent 
shelter.  The  water  came  through  and  under  it 
in  every  direction.  Here  we  found  an  additional 
exposure,  and  the  prospect  of  increased  suffering 
both  from  the  cold  and  wet.  Had  it  not  been  for 
our  oil,  we  could  never  have  kindled  a  fire  at 
first,  nor  continued  it  afterwards. 

But  necessity  gives  origin  to  many  inventions 
and  improvements.     It  suggests  new  plans,  and 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


73 


urges  to  more  favorable  shifts  and  expedients. 
If,  therefore,  our  arrangements  for  the  first  night's 
lodging  on  land  should  seem  somewhat  novel,  or 
even  unheard  of  before,  let  it  be  remembered  that 
sad  necessity  drove  us  to  this  device. 

If  our  frail  tent  with  a  few  yards  of  torn  sails 
stretched  over  us  cannot  shield  us  from  the 
drenching  rain,  something  else  can.  Most  of  us, 
on  that  sad  and  sorrowful  night,  got  into  empty 
casks;  some  were  oil,  others. water  or  bread 
casks ;  it  mattered  not  what,  if  we  could  only  be 
protected  from  the  violence  of  the  storm,  or  rest 
in  some  place,  instead  of  making  the  icy  earth 
our  bed. 

With  one  head  of  the  cask  knocked  out,  and 
resting  upon  its  bilge,  one  or  two  would  get  into 
each  cask,  and  find  within  it  quite  a  dry  retreat. 
At  the  same  time,  a  fire  was  kept  burning  not 
far  from  the  open  heads  of  the  several  casks, 
placed  in  a  circle  around  the  fire,  and  thus  we 
were  made  as  comfortable,  perhaps,  as  our  cir- 
cumstances A^ould  permit.  Thi^'  was  our  first 
night's  experience  on  land. 

The  nex+  day,  arrangements  were  made  to 
form  parties  of  exp  oration.  We  knew  not 
where  we  were.  Of  this,  however,  we  were 
quite  certain  —  that  we  were  north  of  the  straits ; 
but  upon  what  part  of  the  arctic  coast  we  \\'^ere 
cast  away,  we  could  not  tell. 


V 


74 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


Therefore,  our  first  object  was,  if  possible,  to 
ascertain  our  true  position.  The  thick,  foggy, 
and  stormy  weather  which  had  prevailed  for 
many  days  before  the  wreck,  contributed  greatly 
to  mislead  us.  Neither  sun,  moon,  nor  stars  had 
appeared  for  some  time,  by  which  we  might  have 
been  guided  in  our  course  through  the  tracklesR 
deep.  All  above  us  had  been  shrouded  with 
dens  8  clouds,  while  strong  and  variable  wind  a, 
approaching  to  the  severity  of  tornadoes,  and 
even  hurricanes,  had  carried  our  ship  far  out  and 
beyond  her  true  coairse. 

The  last,  and  not  the  least  perhaps,  of  the 
causes  which  resulted  in  our  wreck,  was  the  cur- 
rent, which  appeared  to  change  its  course  during 
the  storm,  as  it  not  unfrequently  does.  At  this 
time,  it  set  from  the  eastern  to  the  western  shore 
of  the  Arctic.  Under  the  combined  influence  of 
the  cmrent  coming  from  the  north  and  east,  and 
a  severe  gale  of  wind,  accompanied  with  hail, 
rain,  and  fog,  our  ship  was  constantly  pressed 
upon  the  western  shore,  until  she  struck  and  went 
to  pieces. 

Two  companies  were  now  formed,  one  to  take 
an  easterly  course,  and  the  other  a  westerly 
one.  Those  who  were  left  behind  were  to  be 
employed  in  making  sacks  out  of  canvas,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  bread  and  other  provis- 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


75 


ions  in  our  anticipated  travels.  This  expedition 
was  intended  only  as  an  introductory  one  to  our 
final  removal  from  the  place,  when  we  should 
ascertain  more  particularly  where  we  were. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  some  that  we  were  cast 
away  upon  an  island ;  and  in  so  far  as  we  could 
judge  at  this  time,  this  opinion  was  rather  con- 
firmed. 

The  captain  with  his  party  took  their  depart- 
ure towards  the  east,  and  Mr.  Fisher  and  his  party 
went  towards  the  west 

Each  man  was  armed  with  whatever  defensive 
and  offensive  weapon  he  could  well  carry  along 
with  him.  These  weapons  were  neither  guns 
nor  swords,  but  a  few  knives,  a  hatchet,  a  broken 
whale  lance,  and  a  spade.  We  knew  not  with 
what  we  should  meet,  whether  savage  beasts,  or 
more  savage  men. 

The  parties,  as  they  traveled  in  opposite  direc- 
tions, soon  found  they  were  not  upon  an  island, 
as  they  at  first  imagined,  but  merely  upon  an 
extended  projection,  as  it  appeared  to  be,  from 
the  main  land. 

The  captain's  party,  after  having  traveled  in 
an  easterly  direction  about  ten  miles,  discovered 
tracks  of  dog  teams,  and  the  footmarks  of  those 
who  accompanied  them.  These  facts  assured 
the  explorers  that  human  habitations  of  some 


76 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OR, 


sort  were  not  probably  far  distant.  They  there  < 
fore  returned  immediately  to  the  tent  to  inform 
their  companions,  and  to  make  particular  ar- 
rangements for  more  extended  researches.  The 
western  party  also  returned  to  the  tent  soon  after 
the  other,  having  made  no  very  definite  dis- 
coveries. 

We  became  satisfied  at  this  time,  from  the  di- 
rection of  the  coast,  and  the  general  aspect  of 
the  country,  that  we  were  north  of  East  Cape ; 
but  how  far  distant  from  it,  we  had  no  means  of 
determining.  It  was  likewise  a  matter  of  equal 
uncertainty  whether  we  were  east  or  west  of 
East  River.  If  we  were  west  of  this  river,  the 
prospect  of  our  liberation  the  coming  winter,  or 
of  meeting  with  any  friendly  sail,  was  extremely 
small.  If,  however,  we  were  east  of  the  river,  we 
had  strong  hopes  of  deliverance  before  the  win- 
ter should  fairly  set  in,  and  that  we  should  be 
able  to  reach  East  Cape  in  season  to  intercept 
some  ship  bound  out  of  the  ocean. 

Thus  we  reasoned  upon  and  discussed  those 
matters  which  pertained  to  our  speedy  deliver- 
ance, or  our  bondage  for  months  to  come  in  the 
dreadful  and  merciless  winter  of  the  polar  region ; 
or  it  may  be  that  no  one  of  our  number  would 
escape  to  tell  the  wreck  of  the  ship,  and  the 


'\ 


NINE   MONTHS  IN   THE  ARCTIC. 


77 


catastrophe  which  would  befall  his  fellow-com- 
panions. 

Besides,  considerations  were  urgent  and  press- 
ing why  we  should  make  all  possible  haste, 
either  to  find  some  suitable  habitation  for  the 
winter,  or,  perchance,  fall  in  with  some  friendly 
vessel.  With  the  advance  of  the  season,  we 
were  assured  that  traveling  would  become  more 
and  more  difficult,  and  that  Borean  storms  would 
soon  burst  upon  us  with  resistless  fury.  And 
hence,  to  remain  where  we  were  first  cast  upon 
the  shore,  without  persevering  efforts  to  save  our 
lives,  would  be  the  height  of  presumption.  With 
nothing  more  to  protect  us  than  the  frail  tent 
which  we  had  erected,  thinly  clad,  and  all  we  had 
on  our  backs,  a  limited  supply  of  provisions  from 
the  wreck,  if  we  should  remain  at  our  first  land- 
ing place  until  deliverance  should  come  to  us, 
then,  indeed,  before  the  opening  of  another  spring, 
all  of  us  would  have  fallen  victims  to  inexora- 
ble death. 

At  this  distance  from  the  place  where  the  scene 
of  our  suflferings  commenced,  how  little  can  our 
readers  appreciate  what  were  then  our  condition, 
wants,  and  prospects!  Indeed,  ice  and  snow 
already  began  to  largely  increase,  though  we 
were  in  the  region  of  eternal  frosts,  where  they 
never  wholly  disappear.     Both  upon  the  shore, 


V 


78 


THE   WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


and  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  in  an  inland 
direction,  the  ice  and  snow  were  perennial  occu- 
pants of  the  country.  Neither  the  rains  of  spring 
nor  the  suns  of  summer  are  able  to  melt  away 
and  dissolve  the  deep  foundations  of  a  polar 
winter. 

The  surface  of  the  country  was  much  liroken 
and  uneven,  and  especially  in  the  interior,  al- 
ternating in  valleys,  deep  gorges,  precipitous 
clifTs,  rugged  and  rocky  eminences,  one  elevation 
rising  above  another,  until  the  remote  horizon 
exhibited  lofty  mountain  ranges.  The  entire 
panoramic  view  presented  an  aspect  at  once  sub- 
lime and  frightful  to  behold. 

It  should  be  remembered  that,  amid  our  hopes 
and  fears,  we  stood  at  this  time  on  the  borders 
of  human  habitations;  and  beyond  this  locality, 
as  we  afterwards  ascertained,  especially  on  this 
coast,  there  was  but  one  known  settlement  of  the 
natives  to  the  north  of  us. 

The  dead  hog  that  drifted  ashore  was  skinned 
and  roasted  for  supper  on  the  second  night  after 
the  wreck,  and  for  breakfast  next  morning.  Uten- 
sils for  cooking  were  very  scarce;  only  a  few 
small  articles  had  come  ashore.  The  hog  was 
suspended  over  the  fire,  and  turned  over  and 
around  when  necessary,  until  it  was  baked  suita- 
ble for  eating. 


NINE  MONTHS  IN   THE   ARCTIC. 


19 


Preparations  were  made  on  the  coming  day 
for  another  traveling-exploring  expedition,  in 
which  all  were  to  be  included  ap  one  company. 
The  grand  purpose  we  now  had  in  view  was  to 
find  a  passage  to  East  Cape,  or  to  fall  in  with 
the  huts  or  settlements  of  the  natives. 

Before  leaving,  however,  a  grave  question  arose 
as  to  what  should  be  done  with  the  live  hog, 
which  had  thus  far  shared  with  us  in  our  deliv- 
erance from  the  wreck,  and  from  his  general  de- 
portment seemed  to  realize  his  forlorn  condition. 

This  was  a  "  pet  hog  "  among  the  seamen ;  he 
knew  his  name,  and  appeared  toJhave  more  than 
ordinary  intelligence ;  at  least,  this  was  his  repu- 
tation on  board  of  the  ship.  His  weight  was 
not  far  from  twelve  score.  He  was  washed  from 
the  deck  at  the  time  it  was  broken  up  by  the  sea, 
and  discovered,  by  Mr.  Fisher,  floating  about  in 
the  surf,  and  supposed  to  be  dead.  He  went  to 
him,  and  struck  a  smart  blow  upon  his  back,  and 
said  to  him,  "  Jack,  what  are  you  doing  here  ?  " 
He  immediately  gave  a  grunt  or  two,  started 
upon  his  feet,  and  struggled  for  the  shore.  He 
went  with  us  to  the  tent,  and  made  that  his 
home.  He  would  frequently  wander  forth  some 
distance  from  the  tent,  apparently  ruminating 
upon  the  sad  state  of  things ;  and  after  a  while 
he  would  return  and  take  up  his  position  at  the 


V. 


80 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


entrance  of  the  tent.  In  the  estimation  of  the 
crew,  he  was  indeed  one  of  the  "  learned  hogs." 

When  the  question  came  up,  what  should  be 
done  with  "Jack,"  many  at  once  resolved  they 
would  never  eat  him,  because  he  knew  so  much ; 
and  being  so  strongly  attached  to  him,  he  really 
seemed  like  one  of  our  number :  "  Old  Jacky 
must  not  be  eaten." 

A  different  counsel  finally  prevailed.  If  we 
should  leave  him  behind,  he  would  soon  be  de- 
stroyed by  wild  beasts,  and  especially  bears,  that 
swarm  the  region ;  or  he  would  perish  with  hun- 
ger. In  view  of  these.considerations,  it  was  de- 
cided to  kill  the  favorite  hog,  more  from  neces- 
sity than  choice.  He  was  accordingly  killed  and 
roasted,  and  a  division  made  of  him,  each  man 
taking  his  proportionate  share.  A  cheese  was 
also  divided  into  as  many  parts  as  there  were 
men,  and  distributed  to  each.  Each  man  car- 
ried a  sack  containing  thirty  biscuits,  in  addi- 
tion to  other  articles  of  provision  just  men- 
tioned. 

We  were  particular  also  before  leaving,  though 
it  was  quite  uncertain  whether  we  should  ever 
see  the  spot  again,  to  save  from  the  wreck  and 
stow  away  in  the  tent  whatever  we  thought 
might  be  necessary  for  future  use.  This  was  a 
judicious  precaution.      As  a  last  resort,  if   all 


f  \ 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


81 


other  sources  of  deliverance  should  fail  us,  nei- 
ther finding  the  settlements  of  the  natives,  or 
being  received  by  them,  nor  seeing  any  ship  to 
take  us  off,  then  we  must  return  to  the  wreck, 
and  make  the  best  of  what  we  had,  and  live  as 
long  as  we  could. 

We  furthermore  agreed  to  travel  seven  days 
from  the  wreck,  and  if  we  found  no  help  or 
deliverance  from  any  quarter,  then  we  would 
return,  which  would  require  seven  days  more  — 
about  as  long  as  we  supposed  our  provisions 
would  last  us. 

The  direction  we  took  was  towards  the  east 
and  south,  along  shore,  which  was  less  difficult 
to  travel  than  farther  back  in  the  country ;  be- 
sides, there  were  less  snow  and  ice  on  the  sea- 
board at  that  time. 

We  had  tra-veled,  as  was  supposed,  about  fif- 
teen miles,  when  we  saw  two  natives,  some  little 
distance  before  us,  in  an  inland  direction.  At 
first  they  were  unwilling  to  stop,  probably  aware 
from  our  appearance  that  we  were  foreigners. 
While  we  all  kept  together  the  natives  continued 
on  their  way. 

Captain  Norton  and  two  of  his  officers  sepa- 
rated themselves  from  the  rest  of  the  company, 
making  signs,  thus  indicating  peaceable  inten- 
tions, and  advanced  towards  them.  The  natives 
6 


82 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


then  stopped.  The  captain  and  those  with  him  ap- 
proached them  and  shook  hands  with  them.  The 
natives  appeared  to  understand  the  signals  and 
signs,  and  at  once  desired  that  all  the  company 
that  was  behind  some  distance  would  come  for- 
ward to  them.  Thie  they  did.  The  natives 
pointed  in  the  direction  of  their  settlement,  and 
furthermore  desired  all  the  company  to  follow 
them.  We  followed  them  until  we  came  in 
sight  of  the!  huts.  Here  the  whole  company 
was  requested  to  stop,  with  the  exception  of  the 
captain  and  two  of  his  officers.  We  went  with 
the  natives  into  the  settlement,  and  were  imme- 
diately conducted  into  the  presence  of  a  very  old 
woman,  who  marked  one  side  of  our  faces  with 
two  lines,  and  our  hands  ia  the  same  manner, 
with  a  burnt  stick.  After  this  singular  manoeu- 
vre was  over,  she  made  signs  to  the  captain  to 
call  all  his  men,  and  they  also  were  marked  upon 
their  faces  and  hands. 

It  is  altogether  probable  that  the  marking  of 
our  faces  and  hands  by  this  old  woman  with  a 
burnt  stick  was  some  sacred  rite,  and  that  she 
might  have  been  a  sort  of  priestess  or  prophetess 
among  the  natives,  and  that  the  ceremony  was  a 
mark  of  her  approval,  or  that  she  secured  the 
protection  of  some  divinity  in  our  behalf. 

It  was  ascertained   afterwards,  that  this  old 


'  \ 


tlWWiJ'W 


■mam,Btu^ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


83 


woman  was  held  in  very  high  repute  among  the 
natives,  and  that  she  was  supposed  to  be  a  per- 
sonification of  a  certain  deity  which  inhabited 
some  remote  mountain  in  the  interior  of  the 
country. 

We  also  learned  that  the  purpose  she  had  in 
view  in  marking  our  faces  and  hands,  was,  that 
we  might  not  poison  those  with  whom  we  should 
eat,  or  contaminate  any  thing  we  should  take 
hold  of  with  our  hands. 

We  were  distributed  among  the  several  huts, 
and  remained  there  that  night.  The  natives  set 
before  us  something  to  eat  in  the  form  of  whale 
and  walrus  blubber,  and  deer  meat.  This  "  bill 
of  fare "  had  not  the  recommendation  of  being 
cooked,  but  in  its  original  state,  with  no  other 
condiment  than  what  age  imparted  to  it.  But 
whether  the  whole  company  found  their  appe- 
tites or  necessities  such  as  to  pass  immediately 
into  this  new  regimen,  was  quite,  if  not  alto- 
gether, improbable. 

This  settlement  appeared  to  be  of  a  temporary 
character ;  the  natives  with  their  families  having 
come  from  another  region  or  section  of  the  coun- 
try for  the  purpose  of  trading  and  hunting. 
There  were  but  five  huts  in  all.  Our  company, 
therefore,  of  thirty- three  persons,  occupied  all  the 
room  they  had  to  spare.     It  was  close  stowage 


' 


V, 


84 


THE  WHALEMAN  I   OB, 


but  far  better  for  us  than  to  be  exposed  and  un» 
protected  during  a  long  and  chilly  night. 

After  our  arrival  at  this  settlement,  and  some 
time  during  the  night,  word  was  sent  by  the  na- 
tives, as  we  afterwards  learned,  to  another  and 
larger  settlement,  to  inform  the  natives  there  that 
a  company  of  shipwrecked  mariners  {raumkid' 
lins)  had  come,  and  wanted  shelter. 

Accordingly  next  morning,  ten  or  fifteen  dog 
teams,  with  their  driver",  made  their  appearance, 
having  come  from  a  settlement  east  of  us  for  the 
purpose  of  transporting  us,  with  our  effects,  to 
new  and  larger  quarters.  We  arrived  at  this  lat- 
ter place  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  dis- 
tance about  twenty  miles. 

The  captain,  with  two  others,  went  directly  to 
the  head  man  of  the  settlement,  whose  ii^&ne 
was  Taunty^  and  made  him  understand,  by  signs 
and  gestures,  that  they  wished  him  to  take  care 
of  the  whole  company. 

He  readily  assented  to  our  request.  He  mani- 
fested a  most  kind  and  obliging  disposition.  He 
showed  a  degree  of  sympathy  for  us  in  our  des- 
titute and  dependent  condition  wholly  unlocked 
for,  and  altogether  unexpected.  Such  accommo- 
dations as  he  and  his  people  had  were  promptly 
offered  to  us. 

In  this  instance  of  cordial  reception  by  the 


'.\ 


1 


Native  Costume. 


NINE  MONTHS    IN   THE   ARCTIC. 


87 


natives,  the  hand  of  a  good  and  merciful  Provi- 
dence can  be  easily  discovered.  What  if,  at  this 
time  of  our  need,  the  natives  had  thrust  us  away 
from  their  dwellings,  and  refused  us  shelter  for 
the  night,  or  a  protection  from  the  storm?  or  if 
they  had  exhibited  towards  us  the  spirit  of  hos- 
tility and  war?  Augmented  sufferings  would 
have  been  added  to  our  otherwise  unhappy  lot. 
There  would  have  been  no  escape  for  us  from 
the  arctic  region.  But  we  found  friends  when 
we  most  needed  them. 

We  were  distributed  among  the  natives  in  the 
following  manner  ;  four  men  and  one  officer  we^3 
to  constitute  a  company;  and  in  this  propor- 
tion we  occupied  our  respective  huts,  lived  with 
the  families,  and  shared  in  their  accommoda- 
tions. 

Compared  with  the  first  settlement,  where  we 
stopped  for  the  first  night  in  our  travel,  this  one 
was  quite  respectable,  numbering  twenty  or 
more  huts. 

We  had  no  intention  of  making  this  settle- 
ment a  permanent  resting  place  for  the  winter, 
if  by  any  means  we  could  find  a  more  southern 
locality.  We  cherished  strong  hope  of  being 
able  to  reach  East  Cape,  and  thus  being  taken 
off  by  some  ship  passing  through  the  straits,  be- 
fore the  approach  of  winter.     Nor  was  there  any 


•v. 


8S 


THE   whaleman;  OB, 


time  to  be  lost  towards  completing  such  an  ar- 
rangement as  this. 

One  of  the  first  things  which  we  did,  was  to 
make  known  our  wants  to  the  head  man  of  the 
settlement.  So  far  as  we  were  able,  we  con- 
versed with  him  by  signs,  and  thus  endeavored 
to  explain  to  him  what  we  wished  to  do.  He 
gij  vT  us  to  understand  that  it  was  impossible  for 
V.  +o  travel  down  to  East  Cape  this  season  of 
tilt;  year,  and  that  the  distance  to  the  cape  was 

'ry  great,  and  it  was  therefore  impossible  to  get 


rV 


1.1- 


\!  >i  knowing  our  precise  locality  upon  the 
coast,  we  could  not  tell  whether  the  cape  was 
three  or  five  hundred  miles  from  us.  We  con- 
cluded it  would  be  safer  to  remain  where  we 
were  than  to  venture  upon  such  an  uncertainty. 
It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  we  were  dis- 
tant from  East  Cape  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles. 

The  h^-ad  man  gave  us  to  understand,  in  his 
way,  that  ih^re  was  a  very  great  river  to  cross 
before  we  could  get  to  East  Cape,  and  that  it 
could  not  be  crossed  no  <  •  a'ul  still  further,  if  we 
should  perish  on  the  wav,  great  shipr.  laloutout- 
lines)  would  come,  kill  .am,  and  destroy  all  their 
huts. 

On  the  whole,  we  judged  that  it  was  the  de- 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


89 


sire  of  the  head  man  that  we  should  remain  with 
him  and  his  people,  and  live  among  them  for  the 
present ;  and  nothing  occurred  in  all  our  subse- 
quent acquaintance  with  the  natives  in  this  settle- 
ment to  remove  this  impression  from  our  minds. 
It  may  be,  however,  that  they  anticipated  some 
remuneration  for  their  attention  to  us,  which,  by 
the  way,  they  had  a  right  to  expect.  This  was 
not  unlikely  a  motive  which  induced  them  to  de- 
sire that  we  might  live  with  them. 

We  sincerely  hope  the  time  may  speedily 
come,  when  they  shall  be  amply  recompensed  by 
our  government  for  their  kindness  towards  thir- 
ty-three American,  seamen,  whom  they  protected, 
clothed,  and  fed,  during  three  quarters  of  a  year. 


i 


V 


90 


THE  WFiALEHAN  ;  OR, 


CHAPTER    V. 

r 

No  Proupect  of  reaching  East  Cape.— PainfUl  Conviction.  —  The 
Proviivce  of  Christian  Faith.  — The  Wreck  visited.  — The  Natives. 
—  Hope  unexpectedly  revived.  —  Ship  in  Sight.— Comes  near.— 
Signals  from  the  Land.  —  No  Assistance  offered.  —  Sails  down  the 
Coast— Indescribable  State  of  our  Minds.— Card  in  The  Poly- 
nesian. 

• 

The  prospect  of  reaching  East  Cape  for  the 
present  was  at  length  abandoned.  A  conclusion 
was  arrived  at,  from  the  necessity  of  our  condi- 
tion, which  was  full  of  disappointed  hope,  and 
which  required  an  unusual  degree  of  patient 
courage  to  sustain  our  minds  under  the  painful 
conviction  that  we  must,  after  all,  spend  the  next 
three  quarters  of  a  year,  if  we  should  live,  in  the 
northern  regions.  How  the  mind  of  man  be- 
comes shaped  and  adjusted  to  meet  certain  con- 
ditions of  his  being !  If  viewed  in  the  light  of 
unavoidable  necessity,  we  see  the  force  and  inde- 
pendence of  mind  grappling  with  adverse  cir- 
cumstances, thus  proving  its  original  superiority 
over  all  outward  disadvantages.  It  is,  however, 
the  province  of  Christian  faith  in  the  providences 
of  an  all-wise  God,  which  secures  to  the  mind 


!  '■ 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


91 


true  reconciliation,  imparts  hope  in  adversity,  and 
awakens  unearthly  joy  in  i.easons  of  sorrow  and 
disappointment. 

The  next  day  after  our  arrival  at  our  new  hab- 
itations, the  whole  company  rested,  and  got 
somewhat  recruited  as  to  our  bodies,  and,  not 
the  least  in  our  circumstances  of  anticipated 
captivity  for  months,  our  minds  became  partially 
settled  that  we  must  make  the  best  of  a  common 
disaster  and  a  common  destiny. 

The  day  following,  preparations  were  made 
by  ourselves,  in  connection  with  the  natives  and 
their  dog  teams,  to  visit  the  wreck.  One  of  the 
first  questions  asked,  ard  the  principal  one  in 
which  the  natives  were  more  interested  than  in 
any  other,  was,  whether  there  was  any  rum  at 
the  wreck.  A  keg  of  spirits  had  been  washed 
ashore,  as  before  stated,  and  a  part  of  it  had 
been  used,  and  the  remainder  was  in  the  keg  in 
the  tent,  stowed  away  with  other  articles  from 
the  wreck. 

A  difficulty  was  now  apprehended.  If  the 
natives  should  find  the  keg  of  rum,  and  become 
intoxicated,  as  they  probably  would,  serious  and 
perhaps  fatal  consequences  might  take  place. 
To  avoid  any  fears  of  this  sort,  and  remove  all 
grounds  of  contention,  the  captain  sent  two  of 
his  men  ahead,  with  orders  to  knock  in  the  head 


92 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


of  the  rum  keg.  It  was  done  as  commanded ; 
no  further  difficulty,  therefore,  could  arise  from 
this  source. 

Self-preservation  prompted  to  this ;  but  in  a 
multitude  of  instances  no  less  striking,  where 
property,  reputation,  and  even  life  itself  are  con- 
cerned, a  like  decision,  to  knock  in  the  head  of 
the  rum  keg,  or  break  jugs  and  bottles,  and  pour 
the  source  of  evil  upon  the  ground,  would  be 
highly  commendable,  and  fraught  with  the  most 
happy  results. 

In  due  time  we  reached  the  wreck,  and,  as 
was  expected,  the  natives  began  to  search  for 
spirits ;  but  for  their  advantage,  as  well  as  ours, 
they  found  none.  They  sought  every  where  for 
it,  ransacked  eveiy  nook  and  corner,  hauled  over 
wreck  stuff,  looked  in  to  barrels,  knocked  to  pieces 
oil  <3asks,  &c.,  to  rind  it,  but  all  in  vain. 

It  appeared,  furthermore,  as  if  the  natives  sup- 
posed they  had  a  right  to  whatever  they  could 
lay  their  hands  upon,  and  what  they  found  among 
the  wreck,  or  on  shore,  was  a  lawful  prize.  Sev- 
eral pieces  of  white  and  blue  cotton  cloth  had 
washed  ashore  since  the  wreck  was  last  visited ; 
these  the  natives  appropriated  to  their  own  use. 
A  slate  was  found,  and  upon  it  we  wrote  the 
name  of  the  ship,  her  captain,  and  where  the 
crew  could  be  found,  and  placed  it  in  a  promt- 


NINE    MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


98 


nent  position  near  the  wreck,  hoping  that  it 
might  possibly  meet  the  eye  of  some  deliverer, 
though  an  event  so  much  desired  could  now 
hardly  be  expected. 

The   company  remained  in   the   vicinity   of 
the  wreck  until  towards   night,  then   each 

man    took  with    him*  a    bag  Tid,   and, 

with  the  natives  and  their  dof  we  left 

for  the  settlement,  which  was  about  fifteen  miles 
distant. 

It  was  exceedingly  hard  to  visit  the  scene  of 
our  recent  disaster,  and  behold  the  desolation 
and  end  of  the  noble  ship  that  had  withstood  so 
many  storms  and  weathered  so  many  gales,  but 
now  a  promiscuous  mass  of  broken  timbers, 
planks,  and  spars ;  besides,  her  cargo  thrown  upon 
the  beach.  If  possible,  it  was  even  harder  to 
leave  what  remained  of  her  behind,  and  to  carry 
away  a  small  quantity  of  provisions  to  eke  out 
an  existence  which,  under  the  most  favorable 
circumstances,  among  the  natives,  must  be  most 
trying  and  painful.  And  then,  again,  all  the 
provisions  we  expected  to  obtain  from  the  wreck 
could  last  us  but  a  few  months,  at  the  longest. 
If  our  lives,  therefore,  should  be  prolonged,  we 
saw  before  us  the  only  alternative  of  living  as  the 
natives  did,  being  constant  spectators  of  their 
extreme  filthiness  in    person   and    habits,  and 


•b^ 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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I.I 


11.25 


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2.0 


1.4   MI.6 


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V 


Photographic 

Sciences 

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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14980 

(716)  872-4503 


4r 


? 


V 


94 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OR, 


sharing .  with  them  in  the  peculiariy  offensive 
and  disgusting  character  and  preparation  of  their 
food. 

The  next  day,  the  company  remained  in  the 
settlement,  wearied  with  the  labor  of  the  pre- 
ceding day,  and,  the  greatest  calamity  of  all, 
oppressed  in  our  minds,  as  we  contemplated  the 
future ;  and  as  we  began  to  realize  more  and 
more  what  would  probably  be  our  destination  for 
many  long  months  to  come. 

"  Hope  deferred  maketh  the  heart  sick ; "  but 
hope  revived  —  when  well  nigh  abandoned  and 
ready  to  expire,  like  the  last  flickerings  of  the 
lamp  —  hope  revived  imparts  new  life,  and  sends 
a  thrill  of  joy  through  languishing  minds.  Thus 
the  weak  become  strong,  and  the  disheartened 
are  animated  and  encouraged  to  put  forth  more 
earnest  efforts.  Hope  revived  under  the  circum- 
stances in  which  these  shipwrecked  mariners 
were  placed  was  like  the  introduction  of  light, 
comfort,  and  home  into  their  wintry  habitations. 
What  intelligence  more  to  be  desired  and  sin- 
cerely asked  for  than  the  announcement  of  a  sail 
in  sight  ? 

Think  of  them,  as  brooding  over  their  antici- 
pated doom ;  settling  it,  or  having  settled  it  in 
their  minds,  that  their  abode  was  doubtless  fixed 
for  the  present ;  thoughts  of  home  now  and  then 


< 

c 
1 
c 
c 

t 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


95 


rushing  into  their  miijcls  with  overwhelming 
force,  or,  it  may  be,  with  the  only  exception  of 
their  sleeping  moments,  never  out  of  their 
minds ;  indeed,  their  very  dreams  shaded,  colored, 
and  made  treacherously  illusive  with  joyous 
meetings  of  companions,  parents,  relatives,  and 
friends!  Think  of  them  at  such  a  time  as  this, 
when  the  hope  of  deliverance  had  taken  its  low- 
est dip,  like  the  wintry  sun  of  the  Arctic  pass- 
ing below  the  horizon,  its  light  and^omfort 
quite  departing;  so  hope  in  the  minds  of  this 
company  of  wrecked  mariners  had  fallen  beyond 
any  reasonable  expectation  of  deliverance. 

Severe  and  terrific  storms  of  wind,  rain,  hail, 
and  snow  had  swept  over  the  northern  ocean, 
and  ere  this  it  was  supposed  that  every  ship  had 
sought  a  more  southern  and  genial  clime. 

"What,  then,  was  our  unexpected  and  glad 
surprise,  on  the  following  day,  when,  amid  the 
tumult  and  confusion,  as  well  as  the  excitement 
of  the  natives,  both  in  and  around  the  huts,  it 
was  announced  that  a  sail  was  in  sight ! 

With  all  possible  speed  we  hastened  to  a  high 
cliff  bordering  the  sea  shore,  and  there  we  saw, 
indeed,  what  our  eyes  delighted  to  behold,  and 
our  bosoms  swelled  with  grateful  emotions  to 
contemplate  —  a  ship  under  sail,  some  ten  or 
twelve  miles  distant,  and  standing  in  directly 


V 


96 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


for  the  shore.  As  we  looked,  never  before  with 
more  exhilarated  spirits  and  reviving  hope,  on, 
on  the  vessel  came,  approaching  nearer  and 
nearer,  until  her  davits  were  plainly  seen,  and 
men  walking  to  and  fro  on  deck.  The  ship  now 
was  not  more  than  two  miles  distant.  She  came 
to,  main  yard  hauled  back,  and  lay  in  that  posi- 
tion a  quarter  of  an  hour  oi  more. 

With  these  indications,  all  doubt  had  nearly 
or  quite  left  our  minds  that  the  intentions  of 
those  on  board  were  to  take  us  off.  Still,  no 
boat  was  lowered,  nor  was  there  any  answering 
signal.  This  surely  was  mysterious,  and  be- 
tokened fear.  And  yet  could  it  be  that  within 
so  short  a  distance  no  deliverance  would  be  ex- 
tended ?  It  was  contrary  to  reason  to  believe 
so ;  the  thought  must  not  be  cherished  a  single 
moment.  We  should  soon  tread  a  friendly  deck, 
and  share  again  a  sailor's  home  on  the  deep. 
Thus  whispered  hope,  suddenly  revived  in  all 
our  hearts. 

But  in  order  to  make  the  case  doub:  ire, 
and  remove  all  suspicion  in  the  minds  of  those 
on  board  that  those  on  shore  were  not  all  na- 
tives, two  colors,  one  white  and  the  other  blue, 
were  raised  upon  poles  to  the  height  of  full 
thirty  feet.  It  was  plainly  seen  by  those  on 
board,  as  subsequent  testimony  from  the  officers 


(\ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


97 


abundantly  proved.  Besides,  these  were  signals 
of  civilization,  of  ^ommon  brotherhood,  of  press- 
ing emergency,  and  strongly  excited  hope.  But, 
al^s !  they  met  with  no  response  from  that  ves- 
sel's deck. 

Lest  there  should  be  a  lurking  distrust  in  the 
minds  of  the  captain  and  officers  of  the  ship 
that  these  signals  were  a  mere  trickery  or  device 
of  the  natives  to  get  on  board  of  the  ship,  or 
for  the  ship  to  send  a  boat  ashore,  the  company 
on  shore  separated  themselves  from  the  natives, 
so  that  with  the  aid  of  a  glass,  or  even  with  the 
naked  eye,  a  distinction  in  manner,  movement, 
and  dress  could  be  easily  seen  by  those  on  ship- 
board.    This  expedient  also  failed. 

As  another  resort  to  attract  attention,  a  fire 
was  kindled;  and  yet  the  rising  and  curling 
smoke  met  with  no  cordial  response,  no  friendly 
salutation ;  no  boat  came  to  our  rescue.  Shortly 
after,  the  ship  filled  away,  passed  down  the 
coast,  and  was  seen  no  more. 

We  felt,  what  no  language  can  adequately 
express,  that  this  was  an  instance  of  cold,  de- 
liberate, and  even  infamous  neglect.  Could  it 
be  they  were  ignorant  of  the  ordinary  laws  of 
humanity,  and  wilfully  misconstrued  the  most 
obvious  signs  of  needy  and  suffering  seamen  ? 
Instances  have,  indeed,  occurred,  in  which  ves- 
7 


v 


98 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


sels  at  sea  have  been  known  to  pass  near  ship- 
wrecked mariners,  and  yet  they  were  not  discov- 
ered. They  were  upon  a  low  raft,  perhaps,  or 
had  no  means  of  raising  a  signal,  and  were 
therefore  passed.  The  imploring  cries  and 
stretched-out  hands  of  the  sufferers  were  alike 
unheeded ;  not  from  any  intentional  neglect,  by 
any  means,  but  simply  because  they  were  not 
seen  from  the  vessel's  deck.  "*^ 

It  is  sad  to  contemplate  an  oversight  even  like 
this,  in  which  the  hopes  and  lives  of  a  number 
of  unfortunate  seamen  were  suspended  upon  the 
bare  possibility  of  being  recognized  by  the  pass- 
ing ship. 

How  many,  many  have  doubtless  perished  in 
mid  ocean,  whose  eyes  beheld  again  and  again 
the  approaching  and  departing  saU,  whose  hearts 
alternately  rose  in  hope  and  sunk  in  despondency, 
and  yet  at  last  died  without  the  precious  boon 
of  deliverance ! 

Other  instances  have,  however,  occurred,  of  a 
far  different  character.  Suffering,  exhausted, 
and  dying  mariners,  either  upon  wrecks  or  rafts, 
have  been  left  uncared  for  and  abandoned  by 
the  passing  ship. 

If  the  records  of  the  past  did  not  furnish  con- 
clusive evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  foregoing 
statement,  it  would  seem  that  the  bare  announce- 


NINB  MONTHS  IN  THE  ABGTIO. 


ment  of  the  fact  would  be  snfficient  not  only  to 
appall  the  hardest  heart,  and  cover  with  deep  and 
lasting  shame  the  perpetrators  of  such  a  deed, 
but  to  place  it  in  the  frightful  category  of  those 
events  absolutely  beyond  both  human  experience 
and  credulity. 

Revelation  informs  us  that  "  the  sea  shall  give 
up  its  dead;''  so  will  there  be  a  resurrection 
both  of  the  good  and  bad  in  human  conduct. 
A  virtuous  and  benevolent  act  performed  upon 
the  ocean  will  never  be  concealed.  The  winds, 
as  they  sweep  over  its  surface,  will  declare  it. 
And  so,  on  the  other  hand,  an  act  of  inhumanity, 
capriciousness,  cruelty,  or  turning  a  deaf  ear  to 
the  expostulations  and  entreaties  of  the  depend- 
ent and  suffering,  will  never  slumber.  The 
mighty  waves,  as  they  traverse  the  great  deep, 
will  speak  in  thunder  tones  that  the  deed  lives. 

The  hopes  of  thirty-three  persons  in  the  cold 
and  dreary  region  of  the  north,  in  the  province 
of  perpetual  ice  and  snow,  were  suddenly  and 
unexpectedly  revived  by  the  near  approach  of  a 
pship  within  trumpet  hail;  signals^  of  wrecked 
mariners  on  shore,  the  ship  remaining  more  than 
fifteen  minutes  with  her  yards  back,  and  those 
on  board  tv?h}[ABing«th<s'detntdiistratioa^' of  in- 
tense  anxiety  w  tftose'ctn  'sKoW  .tliat  *dfeliyerance 
might  be^fenjP»t(>itlft?rti*j  aifdtrettnqt.Qne.  pwtion 


V 


100 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


made  for  our  rescue  i  The  ship  is  soon  on  her 
way,  and  out  of  sight.  K  hope  was  ever  sud- 
denly and  unexpectedly  revived,  it  was  then ;  if 
hope  waer  ever  suddenly  cast  down  to  its  lowest 
depths,  it  was  then. 

Nor  could  our  eyes  hardly  believe  what  we 
were  beholding.  Was  it  all  illusion,  dream,  or 
magic?  No;  it  was  a  reality.  We  had  been 
tantalized.  The  cup  of  the  greatest  earthly 
blessing  had  been  held  to  our  lips,  and  yet  we 
were  not  allowed  to  drink  of  it,  but  it  was  dashed 
to  the  earth  in  our  very  presence.  The  departure 
of  that  ship  was 'the  departure  of  mercies  to  us, 
to  procure  which  we  would  have  been  willing  to 
make  the  greatest  earthly  sacrifice. 

What  a  day  of  joy  and  sorrow  was  that  to  us ! 
How  many  hitherto  downcast  countenances  were 
lighted  up!  What  words  of  good  cheer  passed 
from  one  to  another !  How  many  hearts  bound- 
ed with  thankfulness  and  gratitude  at  the  thought 
of  so  speedy  a  deliverance ! 

Our  families  and  friends  at  home  were  thus 
far  ignorant  of  the  distressing  scenes  through^ 
which  we  had  passed,  and  also  of  our  present 
condition ;  but  ere  long,  as  we  believed,  on  our 
arrival?  '^t  tjic'  islands,:  Ve,  shoJlf •  ^ipsmmunicate 
to  thejfl- thW'Vreck  ^fidnr  «h%y',''tfi6*ios8  of  the 
voyage,  .an^tl^e  fortsiwate  Te&cuK  of,  af^;  many  of 
our  numbei"  from: a. Watery  giiv-e'.*  °  '• ' 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


101 


'   \ 


We  felt  that  we  had  much  for  which  to  be 
thankful  "to  God,  and  that  soon  we  should  be 
able  to  send  to  anxious  ones  at  home  the  happy 
intelligence  that  we  were  a*  long  the  saved.' 

Such  is  hope  when  strongly  excited.  It  enno- 
bles and  invigorates  the  human  soul ;  it  adorns 
the  horizon  with  the  gorgeous  drapery  of  morn- 
ing clouds ;  it  paints  the  evening  with  the  glories 
of  departing  day ;  it  forgets  the  past ;  it  is  the 
elixir  of  life  itself;  without  it  man  lives  only  in 
the  present,  and  anticipates  no  future  good. 

But  that  was  a  day  of  sorrow  too!  It  seemed 
as  if  we  should  sink  into  the  very  earth,  and  that 
we  were  unable  to  stand,  with  such  a  load  and 
pressure  upon  our  spirits.  We  were  crushed 
both  in  body  and  mind.  Contending  emotions 
of  indignation,  abandoned  hope,  unmitigated 
grief,  and  poignant  sorrow,  swayed  and  strongly 
agitated  every  bosom.  The  whole  company 
wept  like  children. 

It  may  be  asked,  "  Why  did  not  the  officers 
and  crew  avail  themselves  of  the  canoes  of  the 
natives,  and  go  off  to  the  ship?"  It  is  true  there 
were  several  canoes  near  the  shore,  but  the 
natives  were  unwilling  they  should  be  touched ; 
from  what  cause  we  could  not  understand.  Our 
acquaintance  with  them,  and  theirs  with  us,  had 
thus  far  been  very  slight;  and  it  may  be  they 


102 


THB  WHALEMAN;  OR, 


had  serious  suspicions  in  their  minds  that  we 
designed  some  evil  towards  them.  They  were 
doubtless  governed  by  some  notions,  in  refusing 
us  the  aid  of  their  canoes,  in  keeping  with  their 
half-civilized  or  barbarous  natures. 

The  captain  and  others  offered  to  hire  the 
canoes,  at  the  same  time  presenting  to  them 
some  little  articles  they  had  with  them,  as  a 
pocket  or  jack  knife,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  They 
resisted  every  proposition. 

The  officers  and  some  of  the  crew  were  so 
anxious  to  get  to  the  ship  that  they  proposed 
twice  to  the  captain  to  take  forcible  possession 
of  the  canoes,  and  follow  the  ship;  and  they 
would  have  done  it,  and  risked  all  the  conse- 
quences, had  the  captain  approved  of  it  He, 
however,  opposed  this  plan,  on  the  ground  that 
though  a  few  might  succeed  in  reaching  the 
ship,  yet  those  who  were  left  behind,  being  en- 
tirely unarmed,  would  probably  be  instantly 
killed,  and,  therefore,  it  was  bad  policy  to  expose 
the  lives  of  a  majority  of  the  company  for  the 
safety  of  only  a  few.  Or,  it  may  be,  in  their 
first  efforts  to  seize  the  canoes,  and  before  they 
could  even  get  them  into  the  water,  the  natives 
would  fall  upon  us,  and  massacre  the  whole 
company  on  the  spot.  And  still  further,  we 
were  wholly  in  their  power,  both  for  the  present 


;^aBWBBWB»WW>*« 


J>,-'<i^Mr>l^i«il'U»iii 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


108 


and  for  months  to  come,  and  without  their  kind- 
ness and  good  will  we  had  no  sort  of  chance  for 
life ;  therefore  the  least  misunderstanding  or  vio- 
lent collision  between  the  parties  might  lay  the 
foundation  for  causes  which  would  result,  if  not 
now,  yet  in  some  future  time,  in  the  destruction 
of  the  whole  company.  These  considerations, 
suggested  by  the  captain,  dissuaded  his  men 
from  attempting  a  forcible  seizure  of  the  canoes 
of  the  natives ;  and,  therefore,  for  the  good  of 
the  whole,  that  means  whereby  a  few  possibly 
might  have  reached  the  ship,  was  given  up. 

We  leave  this  painful  reminiscence  of  the  past 
by  copying  from  The  Polynesian,  published  at 
Honolulu,  November  19,  1853,  the  following 

Card. 

<^  The  undersigned,  late  master  of  the  whale 
ship  Citizen,  of  New  Bedford,  feels  it  a  duty  he 
owes  alike  to  the  living  and  the  dead  to  make 
known  the  following  circumstances. 

« On  the  25th  of  September,  1852,  in  the 
Arctic  Ocean,  in  lat.  68°  KK  N.,  the  ship  Citizen 
was  wrecked,  and  five  men  were  lost;  himself 
and  the  balance  of  the  crew  reached  the  shore, 
without  any  thing  but  the  clothes  they  stood  in. 
It  was  very  cold,  and  they  kept  alive  by  burning 
casks  of  oil  that  had  floated  ashore  from  the  wreck ; 


104 


THB  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


that  they  lived  near  the  wreck  until  October  3, 
when  the  whale  ship  Citizen,  of  Nantucket, 
Captain  Bailey,  hove  in  sight ;  they  immediately 
hoisted  a  flag  upon  a  pole  thirty  feet  high,  and 
made  every  signal  tliey  could  of  distress;  that 
the  ship  at  first  stood  in  as  though  she  saw  them, 
then  hauled  up  and  shivered  in  the  wind,  and 
afterwards  filled  away  and  left;  them.  She  was 
BO  close  at  one  time  that  those  on  shore  could 
see  her  davits.  The  feelings  with  which  they 
saw  the  vessel  leave  them  are  indescribable,  as 
no  hope  was  left  them  but  to  endure  the  rigors 
of  a  winter's  residence  in  that  cold,  bleak,  and 
desolate  region,  if  they  should  escape  the  toma- 
hawk of  the  savage.  That  their  signals  were 
seen  by  Captain  Bailey  there  can  be  no  doubt, 
as  Captain  B.  reported  seeing  his  signals  last 
fall.  The  mate  of  Captain  Bailey's  vessel 
reported  to  Captain  B.  that  he  could  see  sail- 
ors on  shore,  and  requested  a  boat  to  go  to  their 
relief,  which  Captain  B.  refused. 

"  Through  the  inhumanity  of  Captain  Bailey, 
we  were  compelled  to  remain  nine  months  in  that 
barren  region,  destitute  of  clothing  and  food, 
other  than  the  natives  could  supply  us  from  their 
scanty  stores  of  blubber  and  furs.  During  this 
time,  two  of  the  crew  perished  from  cold,  and 
left  their  bones  to  bleach  among  the  snows  of 


KINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


107 


the  north,  as  a  monument  of  <  man's  inhumanity 
to  man.' 

**  The  natives  were  humane,  kind,  and  hospita- 
ble to  us,  though  wretchedly  poor. 

Thomas  H.  Norton." 


' 


:o8 


THE  WHALEMAN  :  OR, 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Our  sad  and  desolate  Feelings  after  the  Departure  of  the  Ship.  — 
Whit  we  should  soon  witness  of  Arctic  Winter.  —  The  Wreck  vis- 
ited from  Time  to  Tune.  —  Provisions  transported  to  the  Settlement. 
—  The  Weather.  —  Whales  near  Shore.  —  Severe  Gale  of  Wind.  — 
Fall  of  Snow.  —  Ocean  frozen  over.  —  Sudden  Introduction  of  Win- 
ter, and  its  Dreariness.  —Not  to  be  described.  — The  Sun  falling, 
Nights  lengthening.  —  Disappearance  of  the  Sun.  — Long  Night. 
— How  we  passed  ova  Time.  —  Confined  to  the  Huts.  —  Singing.  — 
Neither  Book  nor  Chart,  nor  Writing  Materials,  except  Pieces  of 
Copper.  —  Hope  of  Liberation  another  Year.  —  Captain  Norton's 
Method  of  keeping  Time. —  The  Razor. — Our  Clothing.  —  Pro- 
visions getting  low.  —  Natives  both  eating  and  stealing  ours.  —  A 
new  Chapter.  —  Commenced  living  on  Blubber  with  the  Natives.  — 
Native  Stock  diminishing.  —  Winters  in  the  Arctic  vary.— The 
native  Manner  of  capturing  the  Whale.  —Preparing  their  Food.  — 
Native  Bread.  —  Description  of  their  Huts.  —  Their  peculiar  Lo- 
cality.— Their  Method  of  lighting  and  wanning  them.  — The 
Filthiness  of  the  Natives. 

The  next  day  after  the  departure  of  the  ship, 
as  well  as  the  departure  of  our  highest  earthly 
hopes, —  hopes  which  had  been  excited  in  us  im- 
measurably beyond  any  former  experience, — we 
remained  principally  in  our  huts,  having  neither 
desire  nor  energy,  heart  nor  hope,  to  go  abroad, 
but  what  was  most  fitting  in  our  present  condi- 
tion, and  future  prospects,  to  indulge  in  sad  and 
melancholy  reflections  upon  the  few  past  hours. 


I  ^ 


NINiS  MONTHS  IN  THE  ABCTIC. 


109 


There  was  a  singular  solitariness  pervading  all 
our  minds,  such  as  we  never  felt  before.  We 
were  now  painfully  sensible  that  the  ice,  snow, 
and  cold,  peculiar  to  this  region  of  the  north, 
such  as  we  never  witnessed  before,  would  ere 
long  form  around  us  an  impassable  barrier,  fright- 
ful even  to  contemplate,  and  through  which  there 
would  be  to  us  no  present  egress. 

What  remained  of  provisions  still  at  the  wreck, 
and  other  articles  which  may  have  washed  ashore, 
reason  and  the  instinct  of  self-preservation  taught 
us,  it  was  our  duty  at  once  to  secure.  Accord- 
ingly, the  day  following,  the  whole  company  were 
again  assembled,  and  went  to  the  wreck.  We 
made  a  division  of  the  provisions,  especially  of 
bread,  between  the  different  parties  occupying 
different  huts,  and  each  party  transported  its 
respective  share  to  the  settlement.  The  natives 
were  present  with  the  crew  during  the  day,  and 
ever  ready  to  appropriate  to  their  own  benefit 
whatever  they  saw  fit  to  take,  or  were  disposed 
to  lay  hold  of. 

There  were  several  casks  ofqnolasses  which 
came  ashore ;  and  since  these  could  not  be  very 
well  divided  at  the  wreck,  it  was  resolved  to  con- 
struct a  species  of  sled,  upon  which  a  whole  cask 
could  be  drawn  to  the  settlement  at  one  time. 
This  we  did,  though  it  required  many  tedious 


110 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


hours  and  severe  labor.  By  the  aid  of  ropes, 
and  a  combination  of  all  our  efforts,  we  sue* 
ceeded  in  getting  all  the  molasses  to  the  huts. 
We  managed  in  the  same  way  with  a  number 
of  barrels  of  flour  which  came  ashore  about  this 
time.  Several  tin  plates  and  basins  were  also 
found  on  the  beach,  and  these  answered  an  ex- 
cellent purpose,  as  they  afterwards  proved;  be- 
cause in  them  we  mixed  our  flour  and  molasses 
together,  and  thus  made  very  luscious  pancakes. 
We  usually  baked  them  outside  of  the  huts,  as 
no  fire  was  allowed  within,  except  very  rarely ; 
nor  were  we  permitted  to  make  any  outside 
when  the  wind  was  in  a  northerly  direction,  lest 
the  smoke  should  frighten  away  the  seals  from 
the  shore  and  region.    So  reasoned  the  natives. 

We  continued  to  visit  the  wreck  and  obtain 
whatever  we  could,  until  the  weather  became  so 
severe,  and  the  traveling  so  bad,  that  it  was  no 
longer  safe  to  expose  ourselves.  '*' 

After  having  gathered  all  the  provisions  we 
could  find  at  the  wreck,  such  as  bread,  flour,  and 
molasses,  we  judged  that  with  economy,  and 
with  ordinary  allowance,  it  would  last  the  ship's 
company  three  •or  four  months.  But  the  great 
drawback  which  we  apprehended,  and  which  we 
found  to  be  true,  was,  the  natives  acted  as  if  they 
had  as  good  a  right  to  our  provisions  as  we-  had 


'  \ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  AROHC. 


Ill 


ourselves.  They  not  only  joined  us  in  eating 
what  belonged  to  us,  but  they  took  what  they 
wanted,  both  openly  and  secretly. 

The  weather  continued  quite  moderate,  we 
should  judge,  for  this  region  of  the  north,  not  in- 
tensely cold,  still  gradually  increasing,  until  the 
17th  of  November.  While  the  sea  was  open, 
whales  were  very  plenty.  They  came  near  the 
shore  where  our  settlement  was  located,  and 
sported  among  the  breakers,  and  in  some  in- 
stances, would  rest  their  huge  heads  upon  the 
rocks,  just  on  the  surface  of  the  water. 

About  this  time,  a  very  severe  gale  of  wind 
blew  from  the  north,  more  furious  and  winterish 
than  had  occurred  since  our  abode  in  this  region, 
accompanied  with  a  heavy  fall  of  snow.  The 
wind  was  so  violent  that  it  prostrated  several  na- 
tive huts.  This  storm  was  doubtless  a  forerun- 
ner of  winter  indeed,  and  which  brought  from 
the  remote  wastes  of  the  Northern  Sea  vast  quan- 
tities of  ice,  which,  in  connection  with  that  which 
had  been  forming  along  the  coast,  closed  up  the 
whole  ocean  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  In- 
deed, all  water  entirely  disappeared. 

This  was  an  uncommon  and  singular  feature 
in  our  experience  of  an  arctic  winter.  It  thus 
began  in  earnest  to  put  on  the  sterner  and  more 
terrible  attributes  of  dreariness  and  desolation. 


i!<.i»>g)mH.ir  1,1.111 


»»i"«m»>P<BP»»"iB»W«(««(*' 


112 


TUB  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


There  was  something  profoundly  dreadful  and 
awe-inspiring  in  the  giant  march  of  a  polar  win- 
ter, prodigious  in  its  increase  of  snow  and  the 
vast  accumulation  of  ice.  It  was  upon  a  scale 
of  operation  so  sublime  and  awful  as  to  baffle 
all  human  description,  and  throw  wholly  into  the 
shade,  as  absolutely  insignificant,  the  intensest 
winter  ever  experienced  in  our  native  country. 
It  is  utterly  impossible  to  give  to  any  one  who 
has  not  shared  somewhat  in  the  tremendous  real- 
ity of  the  scene  a  just  conception  of  it. 

The  sun  was  now  falling  rapidly,  and  showing 
its  bright  disk  only  a  few  hours  above  the  hori- 
zon. The  nights  were  very  long,  and  the  days 
were  becoming  shorter  and  shorter.  It  seemed  as 
if  the  luminary  of  day  was  indisposed  to  throw 
abroad  his  own  rays  upon  a  region  of  the  earth's 
surface  where  either  human  or  animal  life  could 
with  so  much  difficulty  exist.  In  a  few  weeks, 
thQ  sun  had  whoUy  disappeared,  though  his  track 
of  light  could  be  distinctly  traced  in  his  course 
below  a  section  of  the  horizon  ;  but  still  it  was 
becoming  fainter  and  fainter,  until  total  dark- 
ness and  a  lon^  night  of  nearly  a  month  envel- 
oped the  outward  world,  as  well  as  enshrouded 
our  own  minds  in  indescribable  gloom  and  sad- 
ness. 
/   Our  readers  may  inquire  how  we  passed  our 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


118 


time  daring  our  detention  among  the  natives,  and 
especially  during  the  coldest  of  the  weather,  or 
during  the  long  night  of  polar  darkness.  "When 
the  thermometer,  during  the  depth  of  winter, 
would  doubtless  have  indicated  scores  of  degrees 
less  than  zero,  we  rarely  ventured  forth  out  of  the 
huts.  But  far  otherwise  with  the  natives.  They 
would  go  out  and  travel  from  E(ettlement  to  set- 
tlement, even  in  the  coldest  weather.  At  times, 
however,  they  would  return  from  their  winter  ex- 
cursions somewhat  frost-bitten.  We  also  be- 
came, in  a  measure,  accustomed  to  the  intense 
cold,  and  being  clothed  in  the  garments  of  the 
natives,  consisting  wholly  of  skins  and  furs,  we 
could  endure  a  great  degree  of  cold. 

If  there  was  any  outward  relief  to  be  found  to 
our  minds  during  the  long  nights  of  the  arctic, 
and  the  entire  absence  of  the  sun  for  several 
weeks,  it  consisted  in  the  peculiar  and  uncom- 
mon brilliancy  which  marked  the  course  of  the 
moon  in  those  clear  skies. 

Nor  was  this  all.  The  aurora  borealis  there 
is  seen  in  all  its  native  beatity  and  grandeur.  It 
illumined  the  sky  with  a  light  but  little  inferior 
to  that  of  moonlight.  It  would  from  time  to 
time  shoot  up  and  spread  itself  over  the  whole 
northern  horizon,  and  with  its  sparkling  scintilla- 
tions and  brightly-colored  coruscations,  it  would 
8 


^ 


114 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


form  a  splendid  arch  over  our  heads.  And  then 
again,  as  the  advancing  column  of  warriors 
rushes  into  battle,  so  the  bright  line  above  us, 
with  its  moving  front  and  wheeling  battalions, 
would  seem  to  change  its  hue  and  position,  and 
thus  prepare  for  a  fresh  onset. 

The  aurora  borealis  of  the  arctic  and  polar 
region  is  one  of  nature's  grandest  and  most  sub- 
lime scenes  ever  beheld  by  mortals. 

As  we  were  confined  within  the  huts  of  the 
natives  during  a  greater  part  of  our  abode  with 
them,  and  as  nothing  particular  occurred  de- 
manding our  exposure  out  of  doors,  we  had  suf- 
ficient time  to  sleep,  if  sleep  we  could.  To  pass 
away  time  was  extremely  hard  and  irksome.  Its 
wheels  rolled  slowly  and  heavily  along.  Some 
of  us  would  sing  to  the  natives,  which  tended 
not  only  to  divert  and  encourage  our  own  minds, 
but  to  please  them.  We  found,  however,  they 
were  wonderfully  pleased  with  our  singing,  and 
so  much  interested  were  they  in  it,  that  nothing 
would  satisfy  them  unless  some  one  of  us  was 
singing  to  them.  Thus  they  laid  an  oppressive 
task  upon  us,  which  we  were  not  able  to  perform. 
What  we  commenced,  therefore,  as  a  sort  of  pas- 
time, in  order  to  while  away  tedious  hours,  days, 
and  months,  finally  became,  through  the  constant 
importunity  of  the  natives,  a  grievous  burden 
to  us. 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


115 


We  had  neither  book  nor  chart  of  any  descrip- 
tion in  our  possession,  with  which  to  divert  or 
instruct  our  minds.  We  had  nothing  upon 
which  to  write  any  event  or  fact,  except  small 
pieces  of  copper,  and  a  few  stray  leaves  which 
we  happened  to  find  in  the  huts  of  the  natives. 
Our  time,  as  all  must  see,  was  spent  compara- 
tively in  a  most  listless  and  unprofitable  manner ; 
it  was  simply  the  endurance  of  life,  and  the  pro- 
longed hope  that  another  year,  if  we  should  live 
to  see  it,  would  bring  to  us  the  day  of  deliverance. 

Captain  Norton  kept,  by  the  aid  of  a  piece  of 
twine,  in  which  he  tied  knots,  an  account  of  every 
day,  from  the  time  of  the  wreck  until  our  rescue 
at  East  Cape,  with  the  single  exception  of  only 
one  knot  too  many,  which  he  supposed  he  must 
have  added  during  the  long  night. 

The  only  razor,  which  was  a  great  favorite 
with  the  company,  and  which  we  frequently  used 
to  the  best  of  our  ability,  without  either  soap  or 
brush,  was  an  ordinary  jackknife.  It  was  ne- 
cessary to  keep  our  beards  trimmed  within  proper 
limits ;  otherwise  our  breath,  even  in  the  huts, 
and  especially  when  exposed  to  the  air  outside, 
would  reduce  them  to  a  mass  of  solid  ice. 

These  two  articles,  viz.,  the  twine  and  the 
knife,  were  about  all  the  significant  and  expres- 
sive mementoes  which  we  brought  with  us  from 


116 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


our  arctic  quarters.  These,  however,  were  suffi- 
cient to  bring  most  distinctly  and  vividly  to  our 
minds  a  painful  episode  in  our  ocean  life. 

The  clothing  with  which  we  were  furnished  by 
the  natives,  and  without  which  we  must  have 
perished,  was  composed  of  skins  and  furs.  We 
dressed  as  the  natives  did.  An  observer  could 
have  seen  no  difference  in  this.respect  between  us 
and  them.  Our  shoes,  pants,  and  a  kind  of  jack- 
et, and  caps,  were  wholly  of  skins,  with  the  hair  in- 
side, and  then  over  these  another  dress,  with  the 
hair  outside.  •  Thus  clothed,  we  were  protected 
from  the  keen,  piercing  air — a  protection  secured 
to  us  which  no  other  substitute  could  provide. 

About  the  1st  of  January,  in  the  depth  of  win- 
ter, we  began  to  perceive  that  nearly  all  the  pro- 
visions we  obtained  from  the  wreck  were  about 
gone.  The  natives  had  shared  with  us  in  the 
several  huts  to  a  considerable  extent  in  consum- 
ing what  belonged  to  us.  They  were  very  fond 
of  our  flour,  molasses,  and  bread.  They  wanted 
to  eat  what  we  ate,  and  when  they  could  not  get 
it  by  fair  play,  they  would  indulge  in  their  nat- 
ural propensity,  and  steal  it. 

What  we  greatly  feared  was  now  coming  upon 
us.  A  new  chapter  in  our  history  began  to  open. 
The  food  of  the  natives  must  henceforth  be  for 
our  support.     To  their  credit,  however,  be  it  said, 


.^INB  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


117 


there  appeared  no  disposition  on  their  part  to 
confine  us  down  to  a  mere  pittance,  while  they 
themselves  had  their  usual  allowance.  What 
they  had  was  freely  offered  to  us,  and  both  par- 
ties fared  about  the  same  while  food  lasted. 
Their  supply  of  provisions  for  the  winter,  so  far 
as  we  could  judge,  was  not  large  ;  but  now  the 
addition  of  thirty-three  persons  to  their  number 
soon  diminished  their  usual  stock. 

Winters  even  in  the  arctic  are  variable,  as  we 
Jearned  from  the  natives ;  some  were  very  severe, 
and  other  less  so.  We  ascertained  that  an  en- 
tire settlement  to  the  north  of  the  one  in  which 
we  lived,  and  north  of  the  wreck,  perished  a  few 
years  before  in  consequence  of  the  intense  cold, 
and  the  want  of  provisions.  ' 

Some  idea  perhaps  may  be  entertained  by  the 
reader  of  the  principal  kind  of  food  the  natives 
eat,  and  what  we  lived  upon  for  months  while 
•  with  them. 


TEffilR  MANNER  OF  CAPTURING  THE  WHALE. 

As  the  whale  approaches  quite  near  the  shore, 
the  natives  are  not  greatly  exposed  by  following 
him  to  a  great  distance  in  their  canoes.  They 
take  their  own  time  and  opportunity  for  killing 
the  whale.  Both  men  and  women  are  in  the  ca- 
noes on  such  occasions.  It  is  regarded  by  them 
as  a  family  affair. 


\\ 


118 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


They  go  sufficiently  near  the  whale  to  throw  a 
harpoon  into  his  body.  Their  harpoons  are 
somewhat  different  from  ours,  yet  in  principle 
they  are  precisely  the  same.  When  they  have 
thrown  one  or  two  irons  into  the  whale,*they  cast 
overboard  two  air-tight  and  inflated  seal  skins 
attached  to  the  lines.  Every  canoe  in  pursuit  of 
whales  has  two  skins  of  this  sort.  If  the  whale 
is  disposed  to  turn  flukes  and  go  down,  he 
must  of  course  carry  with  him  these  full  blown 
skins.  The  lines  are  very  strong,  being  made  of 
walrus  skin.  When  the  whale  makes  his  appear- 
ance again,  he  is  struck  by  another  canoe,  and 
two  more  seal  skins  are  attached  to  his  body. 
Thus  they  go  on  fastening  irons  into  his  body, 
and  impeding  his  course  by  any  number  of  seal 
skins,  until  he  is  wearied  out,  and  then  they  go 
up  to  him  and  lance  him.  Whales  have  been 
picked  up,  by  ships  and  boats,  having  several  seal 
skins  attached  to  them.  One  whale  was  found, 
several  years  since,  which  had  twenty-eight  full- 
blown seal  skins  trailing  after  him. 


PREPARING  THEIR  FOOD. 

Having  captured  the  whale  and  drawn  him 
ashore,  they  then  proceed  to  the  work  of  cutting 
him  up,  and  stowing  him  away  for  future  use. 
Both  the  blubber  and  entrails  are  deposited  in  a 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE   ATICTIC. 


119 


place  together,  cspecii.Hy  prepared'  for  the  pur- 
pose. The  place  is  a  circular  cavity,  in  the  form 
of  a  cellar  under  ground,  from  five  to  eight  feet 
deep,  and  with  varied  diameter,  from  three  to  five 
feet.  These  depositories  are  placed  along  shore, 
some  distance  apart,  most  convenient  for  receiv- 
ing the  whale  when  taken.  In  this  cellar  they 
deposit  not  only  the  whale  blubber  and  its  Intes- 
tines, but  also  the  blubber  of  the  wabrus  and  seal, 
and  occasionally  a  deer  is  thrown  in,  with  all 
that  appertains  to  it,  except  its  skin  and  perhaps 
its  feet.  The  whole  is  thus  mingled  together  in 
due  proportions,  and  eaten  by  the  natives  with 
no  further  change  in  the  promiscuous  and  offen- 
sive elements  than  what  time  itself  would  pro- 
duce. 

It  was  from  such  storehouses  as  these  that  the 
natives  drew  out  their  chief  support  for  the  win- 
ter, and  nearly  for  the  whole  year.  It  is  quite 
impossible  to  define  this  compound,  and  even  if 
we  could  it  would  answer  no  good  purpose ;  for 
with  us  it  is  profoundly  obnoxious  even  to  think 
of  it.  Absolute  necessity  —  the  simple  fact  of  an 
existence,  compelled  us  to  live  upon  such  quali- 
ties of  food,  compared  with  which  our  hogs  have 
dainties,  and  luxuriate  upon  the  fat  of  the  land. 

There  were,  however,  some  exceptions.  Now 
and  then  a  fresh  seal  was  caught,  a  bear,  a  wal- 


120 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OB, 


rus,  or  a  deer  brought  in.  But  whatever  other 
good  qualities  the  food  might  have  had,  it  was 
all  eaten  raw ;  at  least  this  was  the  case  with  the 
more  northern  settlements,  and  particularly  the 
one  in  which  we  spent  most  of  the  winter.  The 
natives  farther  south  exhibited  some  slight  im- 
provement in  the  manner  of  preparing  their  food ; 
yet  on  the  whole,  the  difference  was  very  small, 
and  not  worth  mentioning. 

At  the  time  of  our  meals,  if  they  can  be  called 
such,  all  the  members  of  the  hut  would  gather 
around  a  large  dish,  or  tray,  or  trough,  as  much 
like  the  ordinary  hog's  trough  as  it  could  well  be, 
and  then  each  one  would  either  help  himself  to 
what  there  was  in  it,  with  his  hands  and  fingers, 
or  receive  his  piece  of  blubber  from  the  head  man 
of  the  hut.  In  this  manner  the  natives  took 
their  meals.  From  the  necessity  of  our  condi- 
tion we  had  to  conform  in  a  measure  to  this  foul 
and  disgusting  custom,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
filthy  nature  of  the  food ;  we  were  compelled  to 
eat  or  starve. 

The  bread  used  among  the  natives  was  made 
by  boiling  a  vine,  which  they  find  on  the  ground 
in  those  places  where  the  snow  melts  off  during 
summer.  This  vine  is  somewhat  bitter.  They 
make  a  practice  of  collecting  it  during  the  sum- 
mer months.     After  it  is  thoroughly  boiled,  they 


NINE  MONTHS  Ij/"  THE   ARCTIC. 


121 


pack  it  away  in  seal  skins  for  future  use.     This 
is  all  the  bread  they  have. 

HXJTS. 

A  brief  description  of  the  huts  of  the  natives 
may  npt  be  out  of  place  in  this  connection. 

The  huts  are  generally  round,  differing  in  size 
in  proportion  to  the  family,  and  averaging,  per- 
haps, from  twelve  to  thirty  feet  in  diameter.  The 
lower  part  of  the  hut,  and  to  the  height  of  four 
or  five  feet,  is  well  secured  with  upright  stakes, 
situated  a  few  feet  apart,  and  fastened  to  each 
other  by  cords  of  walrus  skin.  The  huts,  and 
especially  those  yhere  we  were  located  during 
the  winter,  were  not  made  partly  underground, 
as  Avas  the  case  with  some  we  saw  in  the  direc- 
tion of  East  Cape,  but  so  constructed  on  the  siff- 
face  of  the  ground  as  to  be  easily  taken  down 
and  removed. 

From  the  lower,  or  upright  part,  the  roof  ex- 
tended in  an  oval  form  to  the  height  of  ten  or 
twelve  feet.  At  the  termination  of  the  top,  or 
apex,  there  is  an  opening,  which  is  closed  or 
otherwise,  according  to  the  state  of  the  weather. 
This  opening  affords  about  all  the  egress  to  the 
smoke  of  the  lamps  and  fire,  when  made  in  the 
huts.  It  is  very  rarely,  however,  that  fire  is  made 
in  the  huts. 


122 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


if 


i  I. 


The  covering  of  the  huts  is  usually  of  walrus 
skins,  and  impermeable  to  water.  There  is  gen- 
erally but  one  door  to  the  hut,  which  is  some- 
what smaller  than  ordinary  doorways. 

The  interior  of  the  hut  is  divided  into  two 
principal  rooms,  or  apartments,  one  of  which 
may  be  called  the  eating  room,  and  the  other  the 
sleeping  room.  The  sleeping  apartment  is  sepa- 
rated from  the  other  by  a  temporary  screen,  which 
can  be  easily  drawn  aside  or  gathered  up.  .  The 
sleeping  apartment  is  again  subdivided  into 
smaller  sections,  to  suit  the  convenience  of  the 
family.  The  partitions  are  of  walrus  or  deer 
skins,  as  a  matter  of  course.  These  rooms  are 
much  warmer  than  one  would  naturally  expect 
t(^nd  in  this  cold  region  of  country. 

The  bedsteads  (so  to  speak)  are  the  skins  of 
walruses,  stretched  upon  and  fastened  to  the  tops 
of  stakes  about  one  foot  from  the  ground,  under 
which  a  bedding  of  coarse  rushes  is  placed. 

The  pillow,  or  that  upon  which  the  head  may 
rest,  is  made  by  drawing  the  walrus  skin  over 
one  end  of  a  stick,  or  log. 

The  peculiar  locality  of  the  huts  or  settlements 
is  another  consideration  deserving  a  passing  no- 
tice. The  natives  select  the  bleakest  spot  in  the 
region  for  their  settlements,  where  the  wind 
blows  without  any  obstruction.     They,  therefore. 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


123 


avoid  all  shelter  behind  hills,  or  cliffs,  or  in  val 
leys.     In  placing  their  huts  in  such  exposed  lo 
calities,  as  for  example,  upon  a  plain,  or  level 
near  the  sea  shore,  their  purpose  is  to  secure  pro 
tection  from  the  drifting  snow,  which  otherwise 
were  they  in  the  lee  of  some  hill,  or  rising  ground 
or  in  a  valley,  would  cover  them  up,  and  over 
whelm  them.     Besides,  the  huts  being  circular 
the  wind  and  snow  have  opportunity  of  circula 
ting  in  such  a  manner  as  generally  to  leave  a 
clear  space  of  several  feet  or  more  around  the  hut. 
Notwithstanding  all  the  precautions  of  the  na- 
tives to  avoid  the  drifting  snow,  still  it  was  so 
deep  at  times  upon  a  level,  that  when  passing 
along,  and  even  quite  near  the  huts,  we  could 
not  discern  the  tops  of  them,  and  should  not 
have  known  that  we  were  in  their  immediate  vi- 
cinity, had  it  not  been  for  tracks  we  discovered  in 
the  snow,  or  from  the  barking  of  the  dogs. 


THE  METHOD   OF  LIGHTING  THEIR  HUTS. 

The  lamps  are  in  the  form  of  a  hollow,  circu- 
lar dish,  somewhat  in  the  shape  of  a  bowl,  made 
of  clay.  This  vessel  is  filled  with  seal's  blubber, 
and  around  the  edge  of  the  lamps  inside,  is 
placed  a  row  of  moss  of  fine  quality,  obtained 
from  the  mountains.  This  moss  is  set  on  fire, 
and  by  its  heat  the  blubber  in  the  vessel  is  con- 


124 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


verted  into  oil,  which  in  turn  feeds  the  moss,  and 
thus  good  light  is  obtained.  Two  or  three  such 
lamps  in  a  hut  would  afford  considerable  heat. 

The  smoke,  however,  which  proceeds  from 
them  is  immense,  and  exceedingly  offensive.  It 
is  so  thick,  that  every  article  in  the  hut  is  cov- 
ered and  blackened  with  it.  When  one  comes 
to  clear  air  and  breathes,  there  will  be  seen  a 
volume  of  darkened  vapor  going  forth  from  his 
nostrils  and  mouth. 

These  lamps  are  burning  nearly  all  the  time, 
and  especially  when  the  days  are  short,  and  dur- 
ing the  long  night  of  darkness  in  midwinter. 

Neither  the  smoke  from  the  lamps,  nor  the 
quality  of  food  we  had  to  eat,  nor  the  manner  of 
eating  it,  nor  constantly  observing  the  filthy  hab- 
its of  the  natives,  was  all  the  degradation  we  felt 
and  experienced. 

With  the  strictest  propriety  it  can  be  said  the 
natives  were  loaded  with  vermin  ;  and  yet  as  in- 
different, apparently,  to  such  a  condition,  as  if  it 
were  the  most  trivial  circumstance  in  the  world. 
Indeed,  they  appeared  to  enjoy  the  presence  of 
the  innumerable  hosts  that  swarmed  in  all  parts 
of  their  huts.  Their  persons,  garments,  skins  in 
the  huts,  sleeping  apartments,  &c.,  were  literally 
alive  with  them.  The  misery  of  such  a  state 
we  have  neither  words  nor  heart  to  attempt  to 
describe.  .     . 


Polar  Bears. 


f-^^ 


t 


\ 


- 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


127 


t 


- 


CHAPTER    VII. 

9 

Health  of  the  Natives. — Their  Diseases.  —  Captain  N.  prescribes  a 
Remedy.  — •  Their  superstitious  Notions.  —  Mr.  Osbom  prescribes 
for  the  Sick.  —  A  fatal  Case.  —  They  surround  Mr.  0.  with  threat- 
ening Gestures.  —  Native  Remedy  for  Nose  Bleeding  and  Sore 
Eyes.  — Burial  Ceremony.  —  Marriages.  — General  Appearance  of 
the  Natives. — Their  Character.  —  Their  Habits  of  Industry. — 
Property.  —  Language.  —  Icebergs.  —  Their  Formation.  —  The 
Distance  to  which  Icebergs  float.  —Their  Magnitude.  —  Field  Ice. 
—  The  sudden  Disappearance  of  Ice.  — How  accounted  for. — 
Icy  Vapor.  —  Poisoning. 

THE  HEALTH  OF  THE  NATIYES. 

So  far  as  we  could  Learn,  they  had  the  usual 
share  of  health  with  other  communities.  A  good 
proportion  of  them  reached  an  advanced  age  in 
life ;  and  some,  we  should  judge  from  their  ap- 
pearance, were  much  older  than  the  oldest  among 
our  own  countrymeij. 

DISEASES. 

One  of  the  most  common  diseases  among  the 
natives  appeared  to  be  that  of  worms  —  originat- 
ing, probably,  from  #ie  character  of  their  diet. 
Their  medicinal  preparations  were  but  few  and 
simple. 


\\ 


128 


THE   WHALEMAN;    OR, 


Captain  Norton  had  in  his  possession  a  pack- 
age of  wormwood,  which  he  picked  up  on  the 
shore  near  the  wreck.  Though  it  had  been  sat- 
urated with  salt  water,  yet,  from  time  to  time,  he 
administered  a  strong  dirink  of  it  for  the  above 
disease,  with  complete  success.  As  proof  of 
their  appreciation  of  his  services,  they  would  put 
a  dried  crow's  head  upon  his  arm.  His  success 
went  so  far,  that  he  had  as  many  crows'  heads 
as  could  be  strung  from  his  wrist  to  his  elbow. 

Captain  Norton,  however,  was  wisely  cautious 
in  one  respect,  and  that  was,  he  would  not  pre- 
scribe in  any  given  case  of  sickness,  unless  he 
was  well  convinced  there  was  no  immediate  dan- 
ger to  the  patient,  or  that  he  could  afford  some 
temporary  relief. 

Their  superstitious  notions  were  such  that,  if 
any  prescription  should  fail,  and  the  patient 
should  not  recover,  they  woi^Jid  suppose  at  once 
that  the  proposed  remedy  was  the  cause  of  death. 
It  required  great  prudence,  therefore,  to  manage, 
not  only  the  sick,  but  also  those  who  were  well. 

A  case  occurred  of  a  very  trifling  character  at 
first,  but  finally  it  proved  fatal.  The  face  of  a 
person,  a  woman,  was  somewhat  swelled;  the 
cause  of  it,  so  far  as  we  could  ascertain,  origi- 
nated in  a  defective  tooth. 

Mr.  Osborn  acted  the  part  of  a  physician  at 


I 


r- 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE  AROTIC. 


129 


L 


this  time.  He  applied  a  poultice  of  sea  bread, 
in  order  to  reduce  the  inflammation,  which  he 
supposed  it  would  shortly  do. 

The  woman,  however,  did  not  get  immediately 
better ;  and  her  friends  took  the  poultice  off,  and 
in  the  place  of  it  they  tied  a  string  very  tight 
round  her  chin,  in  order,  as  they  believed,  to  pre- 
vent the  disease  or  swelling  from  going  down- 
wards. The  string  rather  increased  the  inflam- 
mation ;  and  then  it  was  taken  off,  and  placed 
still  lower  down,  until  the  swelling  had  very 
much  increased,  and  had  reached  her  breast. 
The  string  was  now  tied  tighter  than  ever,  until 
it  became  embedded  in  the  flesh. 

Since  Mr.  Osborn's  remedy  had  failed  to  ben- 
efit her,  the  natives,  from  their  appearance  and 
gestures,  supposed  that  the  poultice  was  an  in- 
jury, instead  of  an  advantage,  to  the  woman. 
They  therefore  gathered  round  Mr.  Osbom  in 
the  most  threatening  attitude,  and  he  greatly 
feared  they  were  about  to  injure  or  kill  him.  At 
any  rate,  he  learned  one  important  lesson  —  to 
be  more  cautious,  in  future,  in  prescribing  reme- 
dies to  the  sick  among  the  natives.  They  were 
superstitious,  and  therefore  unreasonable. 

The  natives  were  subject  to  nose  bleeding; 
the  excessively  cold  weather  was  doubtless  the 
chief  cause  of  it.  The  remedy  which  they  em- 
9 


130 


THB  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


ployed)  and  in  use  among  them,  was  the  applica* 
tion  of  a  frosty  stone,  or  piece  of  ice  to  the  back 
of  the  neck. 

Sore  eyes  were  quite  prevalent  among  them, 
more  so  in  some  seasons  of  the  year  than  in 
others.  This  disease  is  caused  by  the  reflection 
of  sunlight  upon  an  almost  boundless  surface  of 
snow  and  ice.  The  simple  remedy,  in  ordinary 
cases  among  them,  was  in  making  a  slight  in- 
cision with  a  thorn  or  some  sharp  instrument  in 
the  flesh,  directly  between  the  eyes,  so  as  to  draw 
several  drops  of  blood.  The  effect  of  this  treat- 
ment was  to  reduce  the  inflammation,  and  thus 
carry  off  the  soreness  from  the  eyes. 

In  some  instances,  however,  the  eyes  of  the 
natives  had  wholly  run  out. 

BURIAL  CEREMONY. 

This,  in  many  respects,  was  very  peculiar,  and 
quite  different  from  the  great  majority  of  semi- 
barbarous  or  half-civilized  tribes  and  nations. 
When  one  dies,  a  wife,  for  example,  —  as  this 
instance  did  occur  in  one  of  the  huts, — the 
following  ceremonies  were  observed  to  take 
place:  — 

Immediately  on  the  death  of  the  person,  or 
just  before  death  took  place,  the  relatives  and 
friends  gathered  in  the  hut,  and  commenced  a 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


131 


most  bitter  and  vociferous  wailing  or  mourn- 
ing. 

The  usual  means  to  expel  the  disease,  what- 
ever it  might  be,  had  been  employed  in  vain. 
Several  skins,  stretched  over  hoops  varying  in 
size,  had  been  broken  by  furious  beating,  accom- 
panied with  fantastic  gesticulations  and  almost 
unearthly  sounds,  if  possible,  to  cure  the  patient. 
But  all  to  no  purpose.  They  now  found  that 
death  was  approaching;  and  since  every  effort 
of  theirs  had  not  benefited  her,  they  pronounced 
her  incurable,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  termi- 
nate her  existence.  She  was  not  permitted  to 
die  wholly  from  the  natural  effects  of  the  dis- 
ease; but  a  small  cord  was  placed  round  her 
neck,  and  gradually  drawn  closer  and  closer  by 
those  who  stood  on  each  side  of  her,  until  life 
became  extinct.  During  the  last  scene,  she  gave 
various  presents  to  her  relatives  and  friends. 
She  died  with  singular  indifference,  and  without 
a  groan. 

Whether  all  the  sick,  who,  they  supposed, 
would  not  recover,  were  thus  put  to  death,  as  in 
the  foregoing  instance,  may  be  a  question.  Yet, 
in  so  far  as  could  be  ascertained  from  observation 
and  from  conversation  with  the  natives,  it  is  the 
opinion  of  those  who  lived  with  them  for  several 
months  that  this  was  generally  the  case. 


132 


THE    WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


Soon  after,  all  the  remaining  property  which 
she  possessed  —  her  clothing,  needles,  combs, 
beads,  &c.,  besides  some  tobacco  —  was  sewed 
up  with  her  in  the  dress  she  usually  wore,  or  in 
which  she  died.  A  new  sled  was  then  made  for 
the  deceased,  and  two  of  the  best  dogs  in  the 
family  were  selected  to  bear  away  the  corpse. 
Instead  of  carrying  the  body  out  of  the  ordinary 
doorway,  an  opening  was  made  through  the  side 
of  the  hut  sufficiently  large  for  the  body  to  pass 
and  those  accompanying  it.  The  relatives  and 
friends  followed  the  remains  to  the  place  of  the 
dead,  two  or  three  miles  distant,  upon  some  hill 
side.  There  it  remained  untouched  for  five  days. 
The  face  only  of  the  deceased  was  exposed.  On 
the  return  of  the  family  connections  to  the  hut, 
one  of  the  dogs  was  killed.  During  the  five  days 
which  intervened,  the  husband  forsook  the  hut 
altogether,  and  all  other  huts,  and  wandered  about 
from  place  to  place,  living  in  temporary  exile 
from  all  connection  with  his  former  home,  or 
family  and  friends.  And  during  this  time,  also, 
food  was  carried  to  the  dead  body,  and  also 
placed  outside  the  hut,  on  the  supposition  that 
she  would  need  it. 

On  the  sixth  day,  the  deceased  was  visited 
again  by  the  relatives  for  the  purpose  of  dispos- 
ing of  what  was  left  of  her  remains.     The  crows 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THB  ARCTIC. 


laa 


and  beastB  of  prey  had  nearly  or  quite  completed 
the  work  of  destroying  every  vestige  of  the  body. 
Thus,  in  a  very  short  time,  nothing  remained  but 
here  and  there  a  bone  mingled  indiscriminately 
with  others  in  the  place  of  the  dead. 

The  company  then  returned  to  the  hut,  and 
another  scene  of  wailing  and  mourning  ensued. 
During  this  last  act,  the  hut  was  surrounded  by 
the  relatives  of  the  deceased ;  and  all  at  once,  at 
a  given  signal,  the  whole  company  rose  up,  and 
pulled  the  hut  down,  and  removed  it  to  another 
place.  Before  it  was  erected  again,  however,  the 
second  dog  was  killed,  and  its  blood  sprinkled 
over  the  newly-selected  spot. 

With  the  change  in  the  locality  of  the  hut  a 
new  order  of  things  took  plaice.  The  husband 
assumed  his  former  relations  to  the  family,  and 
ceremonies  were  at  an  end  respecting  the  de- 
ceased. 

From  what  «  ould  be  learned  from  the  natives, 
they  supposed  that,  in  leaving  the  face  of  the 
deceased  uncovered,  the  crows  would  pick  out 
her  eyes,  and  then  she  would  be  unable  to  find 
her  way  back  to  the  hut.  The  opening  made  in 
the  side  of  the  hut,  through  which  to  carry  the 
corpse,  was  another  superstitious  idea.  They 
believed  she  would  not  enter  the  hut  again,  if 
bhe  was  not  carried  out  by  the  door.     The  re 


134 


THE   WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


moval  of  the  hut  to  a  new  place  was  in  accord- 
ance with  their  notions  that  she  would  be  unable 
to  find  it  again. 

They  have  a  general  belief  of  an  existence 
after  death;  yet  so  crude,  ill-defined,  and  dark 
was  this  belief,  that  it  stands  allied  with  the 
grossest  forms  of  paganism  and  idolatry.  The 
glorious  gospel  of  Christ,  "  which  brings  life  and 
immortality  to  light,"  finds  no  place  in  their 
hopes  for  the  future,  nor  does  it  afibrd  any  con- 
solation to  them  on  their  pilgrimage  to  the  tomb. 
They  are  living,  as  the  apostle  said  the  heathen 
did  in  his  day,  "  having  no  hope,  and  without 
God  in  the  world." 

MARRIAGES. 

They  are  •  polygamists.  They  have  as  many 
wives  as  they  see  fit  to  take,  or  as  they  can  sup- 
port. They  have  a  custom  among  them  of  tem- 
porarily exchanging  their  wives  with  each  other. 
The  evils  of  polygamy  were  obvious  among  the 
natives,  in  the  jealousy,  contention,  wrath,  and 
fighting  observable  between  the  different  wives. 


GENERAL  APPEARANCE. 


From  their  appearance,  we  should  judge  they 
belonged  to  the  race  of  Esquimaux.     In  stature,  \ 
they  are  rai/iier  below  medium  height,  thick  set, 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


135 


strongly  built,  muscles  fully  developed,  and  capa- 
ble of  great  endurance ;  and  in  complexion,  cop- 
per color.  Their  countenances  are  far  from  being 
prepossessing ;  high  cheek  bones,  flat  noses,  and 
large  mouths. 

A  stranger,  upon  first  sight,  would  be  led  to 
infer  from  their  general  appearance  that  they 
were  fierce,  cruel,  and  prepared  for  any  act  of 
barbarity.  What  they  would  become,  if  injured 
or  abused,  we  had  no  opportunity  of  knowing. 
Nor  did  we  discover  in  them  any  unfriendly  feel- 
ings towards  other  settlements  or  tribes,  whether 
near  or  more  remote,  or  that  of  late  years  there 
had  been  any  contention,  or  fighting,  or  war  be- 
tween the  different  tribes  in  that  region.  They 
had  instruments  of  war,  such  as  bows  and  ar- 
rows, lances,  clubs,  &c. ;  but  they  probably  need- 
ed them  in  destroying  the  savage  beasts,  and 
especially  bears,  that  infest  the  country. 

We  found  them  kind  and  hospitable  to  us,  or 
otherwise  we  all  must  have  perished.  They 
treated  us,  we  believe,  according  to  their  knowl- 
(;dge  and  circumstances,  with  more  than  ordinary 
attention. 

They  exhibited  love  and  sympathy  towards 
the  members  of  their  respective   families,  and 
were  particularly  affectionate  to  their  children. 
^     As  to  their  moral  character,  we  could  not  dis- 


136 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;    OB, 


cover  that  they  had  any  idea  of  the  one  God,  the 
Maker  and  Upholder  of  all  things  and  beings, 
nor  of  Providence,  nor  of  accountability,  nor  of 
moral  right  and  moral  wrong. 

They  believed,  however,  as  all  heathen  idola- 
ters and  pagans  do,  that  there  were  superior  di- 
vinities. They  seemed  to  fear  evil  spirits,  if  they 
had  no  reverence  for  good  ones.  They  had  an 
idea  that  somewhere,  in  some  remote  mountain 
in  the  interior,  their  god  lived,  and  that  the  dead 
would  in  some  way  or  other  go  thither ;  though 
they  never  gave  us  their  views  particularly  upon 
this  subject.  They  had  no  idols  nor  household 
gods.  They  paid  profound  homage  to  the  crow, 
and  regarded  it  in  some  sort  as  sacred.  They 
wore  crows'  heads  as  amulets  upon  their  persons. 
With  the  exception  of  the  kindness  they  mani- 
fested towards  us,  and  natural  affection  towards 
their  children  and  to  one  another,  in  their  social 
habits,  intellectual  ignorance,  and  moral  dark- 
ness, they  must  be  classed  among  the  most  de- 
graded of  the  human  race.  * 

Their  habits  of  industry  correspond  with  the 
general  features  of  their  character.  Thus  fish- 
ing, hunting,  making  sleds,  training  dogs  in  their 
teams,  running  races,  occasional  traffic  with  tribes 
in  the  interior,  &c.,  constitute  the  principal  routine 
of  their  employments  and  amusements.     Their 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


137 


manner  of  life  presented  no  inducement  for  them 
to  labor  beyond  their  present  necessities.  By  the 
way,  the  females  had  a  large  part  of  the  neces- 
sary work  to  perform. 


PROPERTY. 

Their  property  consisted  chiefly  in  dogs  and 
huts.  He  who  owned  the  best  do^  teams,  and 
had  possession  in  huts,  was  considered  the  most 
wealthy  man.  The  head  man  of  the  settlement 
was  supposed  not  only  to  possess  the  greatest 
amount  of  property,  but  he  excelled  in  b'odily 
strength.  With  these  qualifications,  he  com- 
manded the  greatest  influence,  and  was  acknowl- 
edged as  the  head  and  leader  of  the  settlement. 

We  found  some  among  the  natives  who  were 
considered  rich,  — rich  in  dogs  and  dog  teams, 
&c.,  —  and  others  that  were  poor. 

LANGUAGE. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  all,  or  nearly  all,  the 
tribes  or  settlements  on  the  hores  of  the  Arctic, 
both  on  the  Asiatic  and  American  sides,  have  a 
common  language,  though  differing,  as  we  found, 
in  some  words,  and  also  in  pronunciation.  The 
language  is  that  of  the  Esquimaux  race. 

Those  with  whom  we  lived,  and  other  settle- 
ments or  tribes  on  the  Asiatic  coast  with  whom 


138 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


I 


we  have  had  any  acquaintance,  from  East  Cape 
to  the  north  as  far  as  our  wreck,  have  no  written 
language.  We  could  not  learn  from  them  that 
any  one  had  ever  attempted  to  instruct  them,  or 
reduce  their  language  to  some  system,  or  that 
any  teacher  in  religion  had  ever  visited  them. 
Without  a  written  language,  or  books,  or  teach- 
ers, or  oral  instruction  in  some  form,  the  certain 
results  must  invariably  be,  that  from  age  to  age, 
they  will  continue  in  the  same  condition  of  men- 
tal ignorance,  moral  blindness,  and  physical  deg- 
radation. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Abram  Osborn,  Jr., 
who  became  a  proficient  in  the  language  of  the 
natives,  and  could  converse  with  them  with  ease 
and  fluency,  that  it  was  simple,  and  he  believed 
could  be  readily  reduced  to  some  systematic 
form.  The  method  he  resorted  to,  in  order  to 
acquire  the  language,  was  simply  this :  when  he 
heard  a  native  word,  he  would  write  it,  accord- 
ing to  its  sound,  upon  a  piece  of  copper,  and 
place  opposite  to  it  its  English  definition.  He 
made  inquiries  of  the  natives  as  to  the  meaning 
of  their  words,  and  what  they  called  certain 
things.  In  this  manner  he  became  very  familiar 
with  all  the  terms  and  phrases  which  they  used. 

The  following  are  a  few  specimens  of  native 
language.      English  words  are  placed  in    the 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


139 


first  column,  and   the   Esquin  lux  in  the  sec- 
ond. 


ENGLISH. 

ESaUIMAUX. 

Dog, 

Attat. 

Sled, 

Woncoose. 

Deer, 

Korong. 

Fox, 

Tricoki  Jlekin. 

Legs, 

Mingara. 

Feet, 

Fartakou. 

Fingers, 

Riddlegus.      ; 

Arms, 

Mingukou. 

Hands, 

Mungit.         ' 

Head, 

Eloout. 

Hair, 

Kidweed, 

Nose, 

Yacka. 

Sick,  , 

Atke. 

Death, 

Youedlin. 

Striking,  to  kill, 

Kittegerayouedlin. 

Wrestling, 

Mupperrudle. 

Dancing  and  frolicking, 

Katepangarrakim. 

Soup, 

Opang^f 

Hat, 

Yarang. 

Spear, 

Poegan. 

Arrow,                      ,   ; 

Kekimbo. 

Whale, 

Draow. 

Boat,                 r^w 

Atuat. 

Ship, 

Laloutoutline. 

Snow, 

Addledadle. 

Ice, 

Retinute. 

Water, 

Memut. 

Skin, 

Naglegin. 

Walrus, 

Kedica. 

Woman, 

Youan. 

d 


>■■= 


140 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


Seal, 

Mamut.                          " 

HiU, 

Youket. 

Mountain, 

Xutamut. 

Seamen, 

Raumkidlins. 

Father, 

Etletuen. 

Mother, 

Etlita. 

Son, 

Youakek. 

Ocean, 

Numaumkimmemut. 

Land, 

Nuteskin. 

Sea  shore,  beach, 

Nutanute. 

Jacket, 

Eran. 

Cap,     , 

Kile. 

Shoes, 

Pomeat. 

«  0  dear  me," 

Hokeenonkanum. 

Mad, 

Anguenipo.                    ^    ; 

Troiisers, 

Konitre. 

- 

NUMBERS. 

One, 

Ennan. 

Two, 

Gera.                        -       -. 

Three, 

Giro. 

Four, 

Gerack. 

Five, 

Miltingum. 

Six, 

Ennan  Miltingum. 

Seven, 

Gera  MUtingum. 

Eight, 

Amgrokim. 

Nine, 

Conizinkin. 

Ten, 

Mingitkim. 

Twelve, 

Mingitkim  Gera  Parole. 

Thirteen, 

Mingitkim  Giro  Parole. 

Fourteen, 

Mingitkim  Gerack  Parole. 

Fifteen, 

Kiddegitten. 

Sixteen, 

Kiddegitten  Ennan  Parole, 

Seventeen, 

Kiddegitten  Gera  Parole. 

Eighteen, 

Kiddegitten  Giro  Parole. 

NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


141 


Nineteen, 

Kiddegitten  Gerack  Parole. 

Twenty, 

Kalekin. 

Thirty, 

Kalekin  Mingitkim  Parole. 

Forty, 

Gerack  Kalekim. 

Fifty, 

Miltingum  Mingitkim  Parole. 

Sixty, 

Gera  Kalekim  Mingitkim  Parole. 

Seventy, 

Giro  Kalekim  Mingitkim  Parole. 

Eighty, 

Gerack  Kalekim. 

Ninety, 

Gerack  Kalekim  Mingitkim  Parole. 

One  Hundred, 

Miltingum  Kalekin. 

m 

ICEBERGS. 

Some  of  the  most  remarkable  phenomena  seen 
in  the  Noj  thern  Ocean,  and  the  manner  of  their 
formation,  are  icebergs.  They  are  greatly  feared 
by  seamen,  and  a  contact  with  them  would  be 
equivalent  to  striking  a  rock.  They  are  formed 
far  up  in  the  polar  region  during  the  intense  and 
protracted  cold  of  winter ;  and  in  the  change  of 
the  season  in  summer,  though  ice  is  always  accu- 
mulating in  high  latitudes,  they  drift  mth  the 
currents  into  lower  latitudes,  where  they  melt, 
and  finally  disappear.  They  are  of  varied  dimen- 
sions, indicating  by  these  facts  somewhat  the 
sources  whence  they  come,  and  wearing  every 
conceivable  exterior  form. 

They  are  formed  by  the  falling  of  snow  over 
steep  and  high  cliffs  on  the  borders  of  the  sea ; 
"little  by  little  the  incrustations  on  the  shore 
and  cliffs  increase  to  the  size  of  mountains,  and 


142 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;    OR, 


then,  being  torn  away  from  their  fastenings, 
either  by  the  winds,  or  by  th'^ir  own  weight,  or 
by  tiie  action  of  the  sea  beating  against  their 
bases  or  undermining  them,  are  swept  into  the 
ocean,  where  they  continue  to  accumulate  by  the 
falling  of  snow  and  frozen  water,  and  finally  re- 
semble great  islands." 

Large  masses  of  ice,  which  take  the  form  of 
bergs,  are  formed  along  the  rocky-bound  coast 
of  the  Arctic.  >  » 

On  the  fall  of  the  tide,  after  the  ocean  has 
been  frozen  over,  the  localities  of  the  rocks  and 
ledges  are  clearly  observable.  When  the  tide 
rises,  the  superincumbent  "mass  is  lifted  up,  and 
a  new  layer  is  formed  underneath.  This  process 
goes  on  with  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  tides  and 
the  accumulation  of  ice,  until  vast  ridges,  broken 
and  dislocated,  assuming  every  variety  of  ap- 
pearance, are  thus  pressed  up  to  a  great  height. 

We  observed  the  gradual  rise  of  one  of  these 
immense  piles  of  ice  not  far  from  our  winter 
quarters.  It  appeared  to  be  more  than  twenty- 
five  feet  above  the  ordinary  ice  around  it. 

The  cliffs  upon  whose  sides  we  have  seen  ice- 
bergs form  rise  to  the  enormous  height  of  two 
to  four  hundred  feet.  And  the  shore  was  so 
bold,  and  the  depth  of  water  so  great  at  their 
bases,  that  a  ship  would  probably  si-rike  her  yards 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


143 


against  their  prccipitc  ^^  sides  before  she  would 
ground.  A  vessel,  therefore,  being  dashed  against 
those  adamantine  walls  in  a  gale  of  wind,  would 
instantly  fly  to  pieces,  and  not  a  seaman  would 
be  saved. 

"  The  distance  to  which  icebergs  float  from 
the  polar  regions  on  the  opposite  sides  of  the  line 
is,  as  may  be  supposed,  very  different.  Their 
extreme  limit  in  the  northern  hemisphere  is 
judged  to  be  about  lat.  40°,  though  they  are  oc- 
casionally seen  in  lat.  42°  N.,  near  the  termination 
of  the  great  bank  of  Newfoundland,  and  at  the 
Azores,  lat.  42°  N.,  to  which  they  have  sometimes 
drifted  from  Baffin's  Bay. 

"  But  in  the  other  hemisphere,  they  have  been 
seen,  within  the  last  few  years,  at  different  points 
off  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  between  lat.  36°  and 
39°.  One  of  these  was  two  miles  in  circumfer- 
ence and  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  appear- 
ing like  chalk  when  the  sun  was  obscured,  and 
having  the  lustre  of  refined  sugar  when  the  sun 
was  shining  upon  it.  Others  rose  from  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  to  three  hundred  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  water,  and  were  therefore  of  great 
volume  below ;  since  it  is  ascertained  by  experi- 
ments on  the  buoyancy  of  ice  floating  in  sea 
water,  that  for  every  cubic  foot  seen  above,  there 
must  at  least  be  eight  cubic  feet  below  water." 


144 


THE  WHALEMAN;   OR, 


Captain  Sir  John  Ross  saw  several  icebergs  in 
Baffin's  Bay  aground  in  water  fifteen  hundred 
feet  deep !  Many  of  them  are  driven  down  into 
Hudson's  Bay,  and,  accumulating  there,  diflfuse 
excessive  cold  over  the  entire  continent ;  so  that 
Captain  Franklin  reports  that,  at  the  mouth  of 
Haye's  River,  which  lies  in  the  same  latitude  as 
the  north  of  Prussia  or  the  south  of  Scotland, 
ice  is  found  every  where,  in  digging  wells,  in 
summer,  at  the  depth  of  four  feet.  "  It  is  a  well- 
known  fact  that,  every  four  or  five  years,  a  large 
number  of  icebergs  floating  from  Greenland 
double  Cape  Langaness,  and  are  stranded  on  the 
west  coast  of  Iceland.  The  inhabitants  are  then 
aware  that  their  crops  of  hay  will  fail  in  conse- 
quence of  fogs,  which  are  generated  almost  in- 
cessantly ;  and  the  dearth  of  food  is  not  confined 
to  the  land,  for  the  temperature  of  the  water  is 
so  changed  that  the  fish  entirely  desert  the 
coast." 

As  to  the  relative  thickness  of  common  field 
ice  where  it  remained  unbroken  through  the  win- 
ter, we  found  it  varied  from  ten  to  twenty-five 
feet  in  thickness.  We  had  an  opportunity  of 
judging,  from  the  fact  that  we  examined  several 
openings  which  the  natives  had  made  in  the  ice 
off  East  Cape  for  the  purpose  of  taking  seal. 

The  sudden  disappearance  of  large  and   ex- 


NINE   MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


145 


I  i 


tended  tracts  of  ice  in  the  northern  seas,  in  addi- 
tion to  its  being  carried  away  by  the  foBce  of 
currents  towards  the  south,  is  attributed  by  many 
to  its  sinking.  How  ice  should  sink,  when  its 
specific  gravity  is  lighter  than  water,  is  a  ques- 
tion for  the  speculative  to  discuss  —  unless  there 
be  some  other  preponderating  element  mingled 
with  it,  such  as  fragments  of  rock,  sand,  or 
gravel. 

Whalemen  have  frequently  affirmed  that  they 
have  not  only  been  surrounded  by  fields  or  large 
tracts  of  ice  at  night,  but  in  the  morning  it  had 
wholly  disappeared  from  the  surface  of  the  wa- 
ter. Therefore  many  have  arrived  at  the  conclu- 
sion, that  in  certain  states  of  the  ice,  in  the  pro- 
cess of  breaking  up  and  thawing,  it  actually  sinks 
below  the  surface  of  the  water,  if  not  to  the 
bottom. 

There  was  another  phenomenon  which  we  ob- 
served. During  the  coldest  season  of  the  year, 
and  in  certain  states  of  the  atmosphere,  the  air 
deposits  its  moisture  in  the  form  of  frozen  fog. 
It  has  the  appearance  of  a  fine  gossamer  netting 
or  icicles,  and  these  are  dispersed  through  the 
atmosphere,  and  so  extremely  minute  that  they 
seem  to  pierce  and  excoriate  the  skin ;  and,  es- 
pecially when  the  wind  blew,  it  was  impossible 
to  face  this  storm  of  icy  vapor.  We  have  seen 
10 


140 


THE    WHALEMAN  ;   Oil, 


a  deposition  of  this  frost  from  four  to  six  inches 
during  the  space  of  twelve  hours. 

A  CASE  OF  POISONING. 

We  observed  that  the  natives  ate  all  parts  of 
the  bear  except  the  liver.  Experience  had  prob- 
ably taught  them  that  it  was  not  proper  to  eat, 
or,  it  may  be,  they  had  seen  the  fatal  effects  of 
eating  it  among  themselves. 

A  bear,  during  the  early  part  of  winter,  was 
brought  into  the  settlement,  which  the  natives 
had  killed.  Some  of  our  company  concluded  to 
make  a  mess  out  of  ther  liver,  and  invite  others 
to  partake  of  the  dainty.  It  was  eaten,  and  the 
consequences  were  nearly  fatal  to  all  of  us  who 
partook  of  it.  It  produced  distress  in  our  stom- 
achs and  diarrhcea. 

We  find  the  following  in  Dr.  Kane's  "  Arctic 
Explorations : "  "  When  I  was  out  in  the  Ad- 
vance, with  Captain  De  Haven,  I  satisfied  myself 
that  it  was  a  vulgar  prejudice  to  regard  the  liver 
of  the  bear  as  pois'onous.  I  ate  of  it  freely  my- 
self, and  succeeded  in  making  it  a  favorite  dish 
with  the  mess.  But  I  find  to  my  cost  that  it 
may  be  more  savory  than  safe.  The  cub's  liver 
was  my  supper  last  night ;  und  to-day  I  have  the 
aymptoms  of  poison  in  full  measure  —  vertigo, 
diarrhoea,  and  their  concomitants." 


( \ 


\ 


V  ! 


V 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


149 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Provisions  of  the  Natives  getting  low.  —  New  Calamity  threatened. 
—  Health  and  Strenrrth  failing. —  Necessity  of  seeking  other 
Quarters.  —  The  only  alternative.  —  Report  of  a  Wreck.  —  Parties 
leave.  —  Dreadful  Traveling  and  Exposures.  —  Report  by  the  Na- 
tives that  our  Men  were  frozen  to  Death.  —  An  Instance  of  Treach- 
ery.— The  Captain  and  his  Party  leave. — The  Weather. — Trav- 
eling. —  Thoughts  of  Home.  —  Preservation.  —  One  of  the  Party 
unable  to  walk. —  Left  behind.  —  Found  by  the  Natives. — The 
Fate  before  us.  — Division  of  the  Biscuit. — Another  fails,  sits 
down,  and  is  frozen  to  Death. — Reflections.  —  Captain  Norton 
encourages  his  only  remaining  Companion.  —  Singular  Appear- 
ance upon  the  Ice.  —  Dog  Teams.  —  Part  of  Mr.  Fisher's  Compa- 
ny.—  Encouragement  to  our  Minds.  —  Natives  unwilling  to  help 
us.  — The  Danger  of  Riding.  —  Last  Effort.  —  The  Music  of  Bark- 
ing Dogs.  —  Our  Manner  of  Traveling.  —  Dreadful  Condition  of 
our  Feet. — Captain  Norton  falls  exhausted.  —  Native  Kindness. 


In  February,  it  became  apparent  to  all  of  us, 
that  the  provisions  of  the  natives  were  getting 
low ;  we  saw  it  in  our  daily  fare  —  diminished  in 
quantity,  if  not  poorer  iii  quality. 

A  new  and  unexpected  calamity  now  threat- 
ened us.  One  misfortune  after  another  had  fol- 
lowed us  since  the  wreck  of  the  ship ;  deliver- 
ance had  failed  us  when  it  was  just  within  our 
reach;  disappointment  and  untold  deprivation 
had  taken  its  place;    but  now,  as  if  our  past 


iMIHltJIUMiUM«imM««»^w« 


150 


THE  WHAt.RMAN  ;   OR, 


trials  were  only  preparatory  for  another,  —  one 
more  frightful  than  any  we  had  contcni}>lated  or 
looked  upon,  —  the  question  was  presented  to  us 
in  its  most  distressing  form,  whether  we  should 
remain  among  the  natives,  and,  from  present  ap- 
pearances, starve  to  death,  or  whether,  while  any 
strength  remained,  we  should  make  one  more, 
and  perhaps  the  last  eftort  to  reach  some  other 
settlement,  where  we  might  get  provisions  enough 
to  live  upon.  Our  prospects  never  looked  more 
gloomy  than  at  this  time. 

We  were  well  assured  there  were  huts  down 
along  upon  the  coast,  but  how  far  we  could  not 
tell ;  and  therefore  it  was  a  most  hazardous  jour- 

,  ney,  and  altogether  uncertain  whether  any  one 
of  us  would  live  to  reach  them. 

We  were  at  this  time  very  much  reduced  in 
flesh  and  strength  in  consequence  of  short  allow- 
ance, and  therefore  greatly  incapacitated  to  en- 

.  dure  the  labor  and  fatigue  of  traveling  through 
the  snow,  or  to  withstand  for  any  considerable 
season  the  intense  cold  which  then  prevailed. 
And  still  further,  we  were  aware  there  would  be 
no  protection  for  us  during  the  long  night  we 
should  be  out ;  or,  it  may  be,  a  number  of  days 
and  nights  we  should  find  no  shelter.  How 
many  fearful  odds  were  against  us !  Of  this 
fact  we  were  certain :  to  remain  where  we  were, 


NINE  MONTIia  IN   TnE   ARCTIC. 


151 


, 


we  should  all  perish  by  degrees  with  starvation ; 
we  came  therefore  to  the  conclusion,  we  could 
but  die  if  we  should  venture  to  travel  to  the 
next  settlement. 

The  haggard  and  emaciated  countenances  of 
our  companions  told  but  too  plainly  that  a  change 
must  take  place  in  our  living,  or  soon  we  should 
"  go  the  way  of  all  the  earth."  If  our  friends  at 
home  could  have  looked  in  upon  us  in  this  time 
of  our  last  extremity,  they  would  neither  have 
known  us,  nor  would  they  have  yupposed,  from 
."*  appearance,  that  we  could  long  survive  our 
nss!  )rtunes.  It  is  well  that  we  do  not  always 
know  eithe.'  the  condition  or  the  sufferings  of  our 
fellow-men. 

It  was  about  this  time,  while  we  were  anx- 
iously considering  our  state  —  what  should  be 
done,  in  what  direction  to  seek  for  life  —  a  repert 
reached  us  by  means  of  the  natives,  that  a  ship 
had  been  cast  away  on  the  coast,  from  seventy 
to  one  hundred  miles  distant,  as  near  as  we  could 
judge. 

A  single  ham  was  brought  to  the  settlement 
by  the  natives,  which  confirmed  the  truth  of  the 
wreck. 

This  circumstance  greatly  encouraged  us,  and 
determined  the  first  party,  consisting  of  only  two, 
to  leave  one  morning,  and  to  travel  in  the  direc- 


\\ 


V 


152 


THE   WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


tion  of  East  Cape.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day  another  party  of  three  left,  Mr.  Fisher 
and  two  others,  taking  the  same  course  as  those 
did  in  the  morning. 

The  last  party  soon  cams  up  with  the  first  one, 
and  found  the  two  men  nearly  exhausted,  and 
overcome  by  the  difficulties  of  traveling,  and  by 
the  intenseness  of  the  cold ;  but  by  encourage- 
ment and  hope  held  out  to  them,  that  another 
day  they  might  find  a  native  settlement,  they 
;;> 'juggled  on  through  that  night.  The  next  day, 
they  pressed  on  the  best  they  could,  making, 
howe  /er,  but  very  slow  progress,  and  seeing  but 
little  before  them  to  animate  their  minds,  or  to 
raise  up  their  spirits.  They  had  gone  as  far  as 
strength,  or  hope,  or  the  love  of  life  could  carry 
them.  They  became  bewildered,  chilled,  frost- 
bitten, and  blinded  by  the  flying  snow ;  and  as 
their  last  resort  before  they  should  lie  down  in 
death,  having  given  up  all  prospect  of  getting 
any  farther,  they  traveled  round  and  round  in  a 
circle;  and  they  were  found  in  this  condition 
when  discovered  by  several  natives,  who  imme- 
diately led  them  to  their  huts,  which  were  only 
a  mile  or  two  distant. 

How  these  men  were  kept  alive  during  the 
time  they  were  exposed  to  the  intense  cold  of  the 
day,  and  especially  of  the  cheerless  arctic  night, 


I 


f 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


153 


seeking  the  best  track  they  could  through  an  un- 
known region  of  valleys,  cliffs,  ice,  snow  banks, 
&c.,  —  how  these  men  were  kept  alive,  is  a  mat- 
ter of  profound  surprise,  and  certainly  one  of 
those  instances  of  special  providence  in  behalf 
of  the  needy  and  suffering  sons  of  men. 

Mr.  Fisher  said,  all  he  had  with  him  to  eat  by 
the  way,  when  he  left  the  settlement,  was  "  some 
burnt  coffee  in  his  pocket."  The  others  with  him 
were  no  better  off.  It  is  wonderful  that  they  lived 
amid  so  much  destitution  and  exposure.  What 
will  not  necessity  compel  men  to  do !  Mr.  Fish- 
er, with  the  rest,  asked  the  natives  for  something 
to  eat ;  and  he  obtained  a  small  piece  of  frozen 
whale's  blubber.  In  less  than  two  hours  they 
were  brought  to  the  huts,  and  to  their  great  joy 
found  provisions  more  abundant.  The  whole 
distance  they  had  traveled  exceeded  twenty 
miles.  '^ 

A  few  days  after  the  departure  of  Mr.  Fisher's 
company,  and  the  one  that  preceded  his,  word 
was  brought  to  the  settlement  by  some  of  the 
traveling  natives,  that  the  whole  party  were 
frozen  to  death. 

This  was  sad  intelligence  indeed,  and  yet  it 
was  vrliat  we  greatly  feared.  We,  however,  had 
our  doubts  as  to  the  truth  of  the  report.  We 
had  some  very  strong  reasons  for  suspecting  the 


amnimm.' ,»<*.*M.M», 


\\ 


154 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


natives  of  lying  —  a  habit  we  perceived  identified 
with  another,  viz.,  that  of  stealing.  And  yet  the 
report  could  not  fail  to  produce  in  all  our  minds 
intense  solicitude  respecting  the  fate  of  our  com- 
panions. 

They  ventured  forth,  risking  their  own  lives,  in 
ordelr  to  find  better  accommodations  for  the  com- 
pany. As  soon  as  they  should  find  better  quar- 
ters, and  the  prospect  of  preserving  us  from  starva- 
tion, the  agreement  was,  to  send  us  immediate 
word ;  and  then  small  companies  would  follow 
them  from  time  to  time,  so  as  not  to  discommode 
a  small  settlement  of  only  a  few  huts  with  our 
whole  number  coming  into  it  at  once. 

The  reluctance  of  the  natives  in  our  settle- 
ment to  assist  us  in  finding  new  quarters,  when 
they  knew  their  provisions  were  getting  wretch- 
edly low,  and  when  they  knew,  too,  that  we  had 
not  more  than  one  third  of  our  ordinary  fare,  and 
that  we  were  becoming  weaker  and  more  ema- 
ciated day  after  day,  their  reluctance  to  assist 
us,  or  to  direct  us  to  the  nearest  settlement,  can 
be  accounted  for  only  on  the  principle  that  if 
we  died,  they  wanted  us  to  die  with  them ;  or 
that  they  did  not  desire  we  should  go  to  any 
other  settlement.  What  their  particular  motive 
was  in  this  respect,  we  could  not  satisfactorily 
ascertain. 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


155 


During  this  time  of  uncertainty  concerning  the 
fate  of  Mr.  Fisher  and  those  with  him,  Captain 
Norton  called  the  company  together,  and  pro- 
posed that  another  party  should  go  out  and  look 
for  their  companions,  and  ascertain,  if  possible, 
whether  they  were  living  or  not.  Eight  or  ten 
days  had  thus  passed  away,  and  nothing  was  heard 
from  the  first  party,  nor  could  we  learn  any  thing 
definitely  about  them  from  the  natives,  though 
we  had  reason  to  believe  they  knew  more  about 
them  than  we  did. 

On  the  supposition,  however,  that  Mr.  Fisher 
and  his  party  had  perished  by  the  way,  as  re- 
ported by  the  natives,  and  lest  those  who  might 
follow  should  meet  with  the  same  calamity,  and 
thus  party  after  party  be  lost  in  those  trackless 
wastes  of  the  arctic,  it  was  thought  advisable,  if 
possible,  before  any  more  of  us  followed,  to  send 
word  by  the  traveling  natives  to  all  the  settle- 
ments, both  near  and  more  remote,  whether  five 
seamen  had  arrived  at  any  one  of  them,  or  wheth- 
er they  had  been  discovered  frozen  to  death. 

Word  was  sent  to  Mr.  Fisher  from  Captain 
Norton  by  means  of 'pieces  of  copper  written 
upon  with  lead,  and  forwarded  by  the  natives. 
Mr.  Fisher  also  sent  word  to  Captain  Norton  in 
the  same  manner  after  his  arrival  at  the  settle- 
ment;  but  neither  heard  from  the  other,  anr 


156 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


therefore  both  parties  were  left  in  painful  sus- 
pense, and  especially  those  who  were  left  behind. 

In  this  instance  we  discovered  another  treach- 
ery of  the  natives  towards  ua,  and  which  we 
found  it  impossible  to  account  for,  considering 
their  kindness  towards  us  in  many  other  respects. 

Since  nothing  had  been  heard  from  Mr.  Fisher 
for  many  days,  the  captain  stated  to  his  men, 
that  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  leave  the  set- 
tlement, and  ascertain  if  possible  the  fate  of  Mr. 
Fisher,  and  find  better  quarters.  One  thing  was 
certain ;  he  assured  them  he  could  not  live  there ; 
that  was  out  of  the  question.  He  was  greatly 
debilitated,  had  scarcely  any  thing  to  eat,  and  for 
three  days  past  had  not*  eaten  a  piece  of  blubber 
larger  than  his  three  fingers. 

Accordingly,  on  the  last  day  of  February,  the 
captain  left  with  a  company  of  three  besides 
himself. 

We  took  our  departure  at  sundown,  or  late  in 
the  afternoon,  in  order  to  avoid  the  effect  of  sun- 
light upon  our  eyes.  We  learned  from  the  ex- 
perience of  the  natives  to  avoid,  if  possible,  this 
evil ;  and  hence  we  took  the  latter  part  of  the  day 
to  commence  our  perilous  journey,  and  chose 
darkness  rather  than  light. 

Our  intentions  were  to  travel  until  we  should 
find  more  comfortable  quarters,  or  perish  in  the 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIO. 


157 


attempt.  "We  were  sensible  that  from  the  sever- 
ity of  the  cold,  we  must  travel  all  the  time,*  night 
and  day ;  there  could  be  no  rest  or  respite  for  us, 
with  safety,  out  of  doors.  If  we  should  stop  for 
any  length  of  time,  or  sit  down,  death  would  be 
inevitable. 

It  was  intensely  cold  when  we  left — such  an  air 
as  is  felt  only  in  the  arctic.  The  northern  lights 
shone  very  brightly  that  night ;  wind  quite  high ; 
(occasionally  the  snow  flying  in  dense  masses 
around  us ;  and  besides,  slumping  into  the  snow 
from  six  inches  to  two  feet  at  almost  every  step. 

Thus  we  traveled,  or  rather,  as  it  seemed  to 
us,  crawled  along  during  that  night,  keeping  our 
course  by  the  sea  shore  as  much  as  we  could. 
We  found  no  well-beaten  road,  or  path,  but  we 
had  to  make  one  for  ourselves ;  no  plain  before 
us,  but  a  rugged  and  broken  surface,  both  upon 
the  frozen  ocean  and  upon  the  land;  immense 
piles  of  snow,  wrought  into  a  great  variety  of 
forms  by  the  circling  winds;  indeed  the  whole 
scene  before  us  was  one  of  the  wildest,  grandest, 
and  most  terrific,  that  winter  could  present  to 
mortal  eyes,  and  such  as  can  be  seen  only  where 
Winter  asserts  his  undisputed  supremacy. 

And  what  a  night  was  that  for  human  beings 
to  be  out  and  exposed,  with  no  covering  above 
us  but  the  bright  stars,  and  the  brighter  corusca- 


w 


^, 


158 


THE  whaleman;  or, 


tions,  as  they  would  flash  up  from  the  pole  and 
overspread  the  northern  sky !  Then  we  thought  of 
home,  —  far  distant  home,  —  and  friends,  and 
the  contrast,  the  strange  contrast  between  their 
condition  and  ours !  But  words  are  poor  vehi- 
cles to  convey  to  the  reader  the  emotions  of  our 
minds  as  we  felt  the  loneliness  of  our  condition, 
and  the  dreariness  of  our  prospects  on  that  dread- 
ful night.  It  will  never  be  effaced  from  the  tab- 
let of  our  memories,  and  in  our  hearts  may  w«? 
ever  record,  as  long  as  life  shall  continue,  the 
goodness  of  God  in  preserving  us,  and  causing 
our  eyes  to  behold  the  light  of  another  day. 

About  ten  o'clock  on  the  following  day,  one  of 
our  number  began  to  exhibit  more  than  ordinary 
weariness,  languor,  and  stupidity.  We  found  he 
began  to  lag  behind,  and  was  unable  to  keep  up 
with  us,  though  we  were  much  exhausted,  and 
only  by  the  greatest  possible  exertion  were  we 
able  to  keep  on  our  feet.  We  had  iiot  stopped, 
except  for  a  moment,  since  we  left  the  settle- 
ment. 

Tired  and  overtasked  nature,  however,  could 
not  always  endure.  We  all  traveled  sloT\'ly ;  but 
one  of  our  number  was  really  making  littie  or  no 
progress  at  aU.  We,  who  were  ahead,  would 
slacken  our  pace,  or  return  to  meet  him,  assist 
him,  and  encourage  him  to  hold  out  and  press  oa 


NINE  MONTHS   IN   THK    ARCTIC. 


159 


This  we  did  many  times,  but  we  found  it  abso- 
lutely impossible  for  him  to  keep  up  with  us. 
We  had  no  strength  to  carry  him ;  this  was  out 
of  the  question;  and  to  attempt  to  help  him 
along  for  any  considerable  time,  or  to  wait  for 
him  or  stay  by  him,  it  was  certain  we  should 
never  get  any  where,  and  all  die  together. 

The  only  alternative,  therefore,  to  which,  from 
necessity,  we  were  brought,  was  to  leave  him 
behind.  Sad  as  was  our  d3cision  in  this  in- 
stance, yet  it  was  distressingly  true  that,  if  we 
had  tarried  by  the  way  or  sat  down,  we  never 
should  have  risen  again. 

We  pressed  on  for  our  lives.  We  soon  lost 
sight  of  our  companion  in  the  distance,  either 
resting  or  making  ineffectual  efforts  to  get  along. 
In  leaving  him  in  those  wintry  wilds,  we  left 
him,  as  we  supposed,  to  die.  We  saw  no  chance 
for  his  escape. 

About  eight  days  from  this  time,  we  learned 
that,  a  few  hours  after  we  left  him,  he  was  found 
by  some  natives  in  a  perfectly  helpless  state,  and 
carried  by  them  to  a  settlement  several  miles  dis- 
tant, where  he  was  taken  care  of,  and  finally 
joined  the  company  at  East  Cape. 

Ill  regard  to  those  of  us  who  were  still  able 
to  proceed  through  the  drifted  snow,  how  slight 
the  hope  that  we  should  long  continue  our  peril- 


160 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


0U8  journey,  and  how  probable  that  each  one  of 
us  in  turn  would  lag  behind,  and  finally  lie  down 
to  rise  up  no  more! 

We  saw  in  our  companion  an  example  of 
what  our  own  fate  might  shortly  be.  "Whatever 
of  heart  or  hope  there  was  left,  the  captain  en- 
couraged those  with  him  to  put  forth  all  their 
strength  and  energies,  as  every  thing  they  held 
dear  on  earth  —  even  life  itself — was  now  at 
stake.  If  they  faltered,  death  was  certain;  if 
they  pressed  on,  there  might  be  some  remote 
chance  of  safety  and  of  life. 

When  Captain  Norton  left  the  settlement,  he 
took  with  him  as  his  only  supply  of  food,  both 
for  himself  and  his  three  companions,  three  sea 
biscuits,  which  he  hid  away  the  first  of  the  win- 
ter as  a  last  resort,  not  knowing  what  necessity 
the  future  might  bring  along  with  it. 

Tlie  last  and  final  emergency  had  now  arrived. 
He  therefore  took  one  of  the  biscuits,  and  divided 
it  into  three  parts,  retained  one  for  himself,  and 
gave  the  other  two  to  his  companions. 

Soon  after  the  division  of  the  biscuit,  we  found 
a  temporary  shelter  under  the  lee  of  a  precipitous 
and  broken  line  of  hills,  which  extended  some 
distance,  and  which  protected  us  from  the  cold 
and  piercing  north  wind. 

Captain  Norton  never  allowed  himself  to  sit 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THB  ARCTIC. 


161 


down,  because  he  was  convinced,  so  weak  as  he 
was,  and  nearly  worn  out,  if  he  should  yield  to 
the  promptings  of  his  almost  exhausted  body, 
and  sit  down,  he  would  never  rise  up  again ;  and 
therefore  he  contirued  on  his  feet,  and  moving 
about  from  place  to  place.  He  warned  his  com- 
panions again  and  again,  if  they  valued  life,  not 
to  think  of  finding  rest  by  sitting  down,  or  seek- 
ing repose  in  any  manner ;  if  they  should,  death 
would  shortly  ensue.  There  was  "but  a  step 
between  us  and  death." 

Yet,  notwithstanding  the  entreaties,  persua- 
sions, and  warnings  of  Captain  Norton,  anotbx 
one  was  observed  to  falter  and  disposed  to  lit 
down.  Being  but  a  short  distance  from  him,  we 
perceived  he  made  no  eflbrt  to  eat  his  biscuit,  and 
also  exhibited  that  singular  dulness  and  stupidity 
which  are  the  silent  and  stealthy  precursors  of 
the  sleep  of  death.  He  was  then  sitting  down 
in  an  easy  and  natural  posture.  The  captain 
spoke  to  him  several  times ;  but  he  gave  no  an- 
swer, nor  made  any  movement  of  an/  '.ilnd.  He 
went  to  him  immediately,  though  he  was  not 
twelve  feet  distant,  to  ascertain  the  cause,  and 
found  what  we  greatly  feared;  alas!  the  poor 
fellow's  eyes  were  set,  his  limbs  were  rigid,  the 
piece  of  biscuit  was  still  in  his  hand.  He  was 
11 


162 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


frozen  to  death;  his  mortal  life  had  fled;  his 
spirit  had  gone  to  God,  who  gave  it ! 

In  the  winding  sheet  of  drifting  snow  we  let 
him  remain.  What  a  scene  that  was  to  us! 
We  were  struggling  for  life  amid  elements  of 
destruction  such  as  but  few  of  our  countrymen 
ever  witnessed,  and,  we  trust,  never  will. 

Only  two  of  us  were  now  left  to  pursue  our 
sad,  and  in  some  respects  almost  hopeless,  jour- 
ney. It  seems  quite  incredible  that  we  should 
have  had  any  courage  to  make  another  ef- 
fort in  struggling  forward,  after  what  we  had 
just  witnessed,  and  that,  at  once,  we  should  not 
have  surrendered  ourselves  to  the  fate  which  ap- 
peared to  follow  and  surround  us. 

The  captain  said  to  Cox,  his  only  remaining 
companion,  "  The  best  foot  forward  now,  or  we 
shall  be  left  out  here ;  and  to  be  out  one  more- 
night,  we  are  gone." 

Having  traveled  two  or  three  miles,  as  we 
should  judge,  firom  the  place  where  our  shipmate 
died,  we  discovered  something  in  the  distance, 
from  one  to  two  miles,  skimming  along  appar- 
ently  on  the  ice,  which  at  first  had  the  appear- 
ance of  a  flock  of  crows.  Cox  said  to  the  cap- 
tain, "The  crows  have  come  for  us  already." 
But  upon  further  inspection,  and  the  object  ap- 
proaching nearer,  it  turned  out  to  be  four  or  five 


Vs 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


163 


dog  teams,  with  three  of  Mr.  Fisher's  party  and  * 
a  number  of  natives,  bound  back  to  the  settle- 
ment to  let  their  companions  know  that  they  had 
found  good  quarters,  and  also  to  bring  some  of 
them  away  with  them. 

This  was  cheering  news  indeed  —  cheering  be- 
cause Mr.  Fisher  and  his  party  were  alive,  cheer- 
ing because  it  revived  our  desponding  spirits,  and 
infused  new  hope  into  our  minds  that  permanent 
help  was  not  far  oiF. 

Those  who  accompanied  the  natives  with  the 
dog  teams  saw  at  once  how  nearly  exhausted  the 
captain  and  Cox  were,  but  yet  the  natives  were 
unwilling  to  take  them  to  the  nearest  settlement. 
And,  besides,  there  would  have  been  as  great 
danger,  and  perhaps  even  greater,  for  us  to  have 
ridden  on  the  supposition  that  the  natives  had 
been  disposed  to  carry  us,  than  for  us  to  have 
walked.  We  should  have  been  chilled  to  death, 
if  .we  had  remained  still  or  quiet,  in  a  very  short 
time. 

The  direction  to  the  nearest  settlement  on  the 
coast  was  pointed  out  to  us ;  and  we  were  put 
upon  the  track  made  by  the  dog  teams,  and  told 
that  the  distance  to  it  was  six  or  eight  miles. 

The  captain  told  Cox,  "  "We  must  reach  the 
place  before  dark ;  the  last  effort  must  now  be 
put  forth  —  the  best  foot  forward."     It  was  now 


x_ 


164 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


about  twelve  o'clock,  M.  We  started  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  huts,  and  traveled  on  as  fast  as 
we  could,  though  at  the  best  very  slow.  The 
snow  was  deep,  and  hard  to  travel. 

All  the  mental  and  physical  energy  which  we 
possessed  was  called  into  requisition  to  aid  us 
in  reaching  a  resting  place  before  night.  It  was 
our  last  exertion.  It  was  indeed  a  merciful  prov- 
idence that  we  happened  to  meet  our  friends  and 
the  natives,  otherwise,  beyond  a  reasonable  doubt, 
we  should  have  perished ;  but  meeting  them, 
however,  we  received  great  encouragement  to 
our  minds,  and,  furthermore,  knew  for  a  certainty 
the  direction  and  about  the  distance  of  the  huts. 
Without  such  a  stimulus  as  this,  and  just  the 
one  we  needed,  —  for  our  lives  were  suspended 
upon  it,  —  our  last  resting  place  on  earth  would 
have  been  made  amid  the  drifting  snows  of  the 
arctic. 

With  severe  labor  and  painful  exertion,  we 
finally  reached  the  settlement  just  at  night.  Be- 
fore we  saw  the  huts,  which  were  concealed  from 
our  view  by  banks  of  snow,  we  were  heralded  by 
the  barking  of  the  logs.  We  knew,  therefore, 
that  we  were  near  the  abode  of  human  beings. 
The  sound  fell  on  our  ears  ten  thousand  times 
more  sweetly  than  the  music  of  an  ^olian  harp. 

But  we   hardly  knew  how  we  were  carried 


NINE  MONTHS  IN   THE   AKCTIC. 


165 


through  the  last  part  of  our  journey.  Strength 
was  given  to  us  by  the  great  Father  of  all.  It 
was  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  did  not  yield 
to  final  despondency,  and  utterly  despair  of  ever 
beholding  the  countenances  of  o'l  *  friends  again. 
Hope  and  heart  were  in  the  ascendant ;  if  they 
had  once  fallen,  all  would  have  been  over 
with  us. 

Sometimes  we  crawled  along  on  our  hands 
and  knees ;  at  other  times  we  would  fall  down, 
both  upon  the  right  hand  and  upon  the  left,  and 
it  seemed  to  ns  that  we  could  not  rise ;  and  then, 
again,  we  would  get  up  and  struggle  on.  In  this 
manner  we  traveled  miles,  and  especially  the  last 
part  of  the  way.  Indeed,  our  feet  had  become 
dreadfully  inflamed,  and  large  blisters  had  formed 
on  the  sides  of  them,  which  made  the  labor  of 
walking  exceedingly  and  distressingly  difficult. 

Captain  Norton  was  so  completely  overcome 
and  exhausted  when  he  reached  the  hut,  that  he 
fell  prostrate  upon  the  floor,  unable  to  advance 
one  step  farther,  and  lay  almost  senseless. 

Not  only  were  our  feet  inflamed  and  blistered 
in  the  most  shocking  manner,  but  our  clothes 
were  stiff"  with  frost  in  consequence  of  perspira- 
tion, by  our  extraordinary  efforts  to  reach  the  set- 
tlement before  night.  We  were  treated  with 
great   kindness  by   the   natives;    our   stiff"  and 


166 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


frosty  clothes  were  soon  exchanged  for  dry  ones. 
After  a  season  of  rest,  a  good  supper  was  pre- 
pared for  us,  consisting  o.  wahrus  blubber,  deer 
meat,  and  "ice  cream"  lavde  of  the  fat  of  the 
deer  mixed  with  snow. 


] 


NINE   MONTHS   IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


169 


I  I 


CHAPTER    IX. 


Mr.  Fisher's  Party  a  short  Distance  from  this  Settlement.  —  Next 
Day  left  for  another  Settlement.  —  Our  Men  arriving  in  small  Com- 

I  >  panics.  —  Health  improving.  —  Cross,  the  River.  —  No  Signs  of 

Water.  —  Settlement.  —  Ham.  —  The  "Wreck  of  a  New  Bedford 

'  Ship.  —  When  lost,  and  the  Circumstances.  —  Travel  to  another 

Settlement.  —  The  head  Man  a  savage  Fellow.  —  Traveling  to- 
wards East  Cape.  —  Seaboard  Route.  —  Natives  kind.  —  Begging 
by  the  Way.— The  Whale  Boat.  — The  Broadside  of  a  Ship.  — 
Ship  in  the  Ice.  —  Drift  Stuff.  —  Sun's  Reflection.  —  Sore  Eyes.  — 
Snow  Blindness.  —  The  Blind  led  with  Strings.  —  Partial  Remedy. 

,}■-■        "—East  Cape  reached.  —  Cordially  received  by  the  Natives. 

The  night  upon  which  we  arrived  at  the  set- 
tlement, we  learned  that  Mr.  Fisher  wns  only  a 
short  distance  from  us,  perhaps  four  or  six  miles. 
Mr.  F.  heard  also  by  the  natives  that  some  of 
his  countrymen  had  arrived  at  the  settlement 
below. 

The  next  day  we  were  exceedingly  sore  and 
tired,  not  only  indisposed  to  move,  but  quite  un- 
able so  to  do.  Mr.  Fisher,  however,  having  come 
with  several  dog  teams,  accompanied  by  the  na- 
tives, in  order  to  carry  us  to  his  settlement,  per- 
suaded us  to  go  with  him,  assuring  us  that  he 
found  first  rate  fare.  We  accordingly  went  with 
.  him. 


170 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


This  place  was  called  Calushelia,  a  small  set- 
tlement upon  the  seaboard  west  by  north  from 
East  River.  We  remained  about  twenty  days 
in  this  settlement,  in  company  with  Mr.  Fisher 
and  his  party.  We  were  now,  so  far  as  we  could 
judge,  about  seventy  miles  south-east  of  the 
place  where  our  ship  was  wrecked. 

Since  communication  was  now  fairly  open 
between  this  settlement  and  the  place  where  we 
spent  the  first  part  of  the  winter,  and  since  it 
was  known  that  intermediate  huts  were  scattered 
along  in  this  direction,  our  men  began  to  arrive 
in  small  companies  of  four  or  five,  as  they  could 
thus  be  better  accommodated  by  the  way  than 
in  larger  numbers. 

A  few  weeks  only  had  passed  away  before 
there  was  a  very  perceptible  improvement  in  the 
general  health  of  all  of  us.  At  this  time,  two 
thirds  of  our  entire  company  had  arrived.  We 
thought  it  advisable,  as  soon  as  expedient,  to 
form  another  party,  and  proceed  still  farther  to- 
wards the  south  in  the  direction  of  East  Cape. 

Accordingly,  the  captain,  with  Fisher,  Osborn, 
Blackadore,  Norton,  and  three  others,  crossed  the 
river  on  the  ice  ;  the  river  was  just  south  of  us. 
On  both  sides  of  the  mouth  of  this  river  there 
were  native  huts.  Where  the  river  discharges  its  ^ 
waters  into  the  sea  or  ocean,  it  is  quite  wide, 


NIN£  MONTUL'  IN   THB  ARCTIC. 


171 


having  the  appearance  of  a  capacious  bay.  The 
river  flows  towards  the  north. 

At  this  time,  which  was  in  March,  we  could 
discover  no  signs  of  water  either  in  the  river  or 
in  the  ocean.  Both  were  strongly  bound  in 
chains  of  almost  perennial  ice. 

Having  passed  over  this  river,  we  found  a  tem- 
porary shelter  and  cordial  reception  in  another 
settlement.  Here  we  remained  a  number  of 
days,  in  consequence  of  a  heavy  fall  of  snow 
and  a  severe  gale  of  wind. 

It  being  now  towards  the  middle  oi'  March, 
we  could  plainly  perceive  a  change  in  the  atmos- 
phere. It  is  true,  we  were  farther  south,  which 
made  some  difference  in  the  temperature ;  but 
the  air  had  lost  much  of  that  sharp  and  piercing 
sensation  which  we  felt  in  the  winter,  and  which 
is  experienced,  we  believe,  only  in  this  part  of 
the  earth's  surface. 

Much  to  our  surprise  and  pleasure,  during  our 
abode  in  this  settlement,  we  were  served  with 
ham  —  a  new  article  of  food  indeed  to  us,  though 
we  had  not  a  great  deal  of  it,  still  a  most  agreea- 
ble exchange,  if  only  for  one  meal,  in  the  place 
of  whale  and  walrus  blubber. 

We  ascertained  that  these  hams  were  taken 
from  the  wreck  of  the  ship  Bramin,  of  New  Bed- 
ford, by  the  natives.    This  ship,  as  we  afterwards 


V, 


172 


TUE  WHALEMAN  :  OB, 


learned,  came  into  collision  with  another  ship  off 
the' mouth  of  East  River,  during  the  same  gale 
in  which  the  Citizen  was  lost.  It  appeared  she 
was  abandoned  by  her  officers  and  crew,  who 
efiected  their  escape  on  board  of  the  accompa- 
nying ship. 

In  the  concussion  which  took  place  her  fore- 
mast was  carried  away  and  otherwise  seriously 
damaged ;  besides,  being  near  to  land,  and  on  a 
lee  shore,  it  was  impossible  to  save  her. 

From  the  position  in  which  we  found  a  por- 
tion of  her  remains,  it  seemed  that,  after  she  was 
abandoned,  she  must  have  beat  over  a  ledge  of 
rocks  that  stretches  across  the  mouth  of  tne  river, 
and  by  the  force  of  the  gale  driven  up  the  river 
to  the  distance  of  nearly  ten  miles. 

We  visited  the  wreck  with  the  natives,  who 
directed  us  to  the  spot.  We  saw  a  part  of  her 
quarter  deck,  with  the  ice  piled  up  around  it. 
We  saW)  also,  upon  the  shore,  close  by,  some  of 
her  timbers  and  broken  casks  partly  covered  up 
with  huge  masses  and  blocks  of  ice. 

It  was  doubtless  the  report  of  this  wreck  which 
reached  us  in  our  winter  quarters.  But  how  far 
it  was  east  of  us,  or  the  circumstances  attending 
the  wreck,  how  many  were  saved  or  lost,  or 
whether  all  were  lost,  we  obtained  no  satisfac- 
tory information  from  the  natives  at  that  time. 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


178 


Nor  did  those  natives  who  went  with  us  to  the 
wreck  know  any  thing  about  the  fate  of  the  crew. 
As  they  had  never  seen  any  of  them,  nor  heard 
of  their  being  in  any  of  the  settlements  near  by,  we 
naturally  inferred  that  all  on  board  were  lost,  or 
that  they  were  immediately  taker!  off  of  the  wreck 
or  from  the  shore  by  some  accompanying  ship. 

The  night  before  we  left  this  settlement,  and 
where  we  were  well  used,  another  party  of  our 
men  arrived.  We  passed  on  to  another  collec- 
tion of  huts,  about  fifteen  in  number. 

The  head  man  of  this  settlement,  and  in  whoso 
hut  we  happened  to  stop,  was  one  of  the  most 
crabbed,  savage-like  fellows  with  whom  we  had 
met  in  all  our  past  acquaintance  with  native  life. 
He  appeared  to  take  real  delight  and  satisfaction 
in  degrading  and  mortifying  us  all  he  could.  He 
would  cut  the  meat  or  blubber,  whatever  it  might 
be,  into  small  pieces,  and  reach  i'/.em  to  us  on 
the  end  of  a  stick,  for  us  to  takrt  them,  or  bite 
them  off  as  a  dog.  Indeed,  we  were  treated  by 
him  in  the  same  line  of  court*  sy  as  he  treated 
his  dogs. 

We  quietly  submitted  to  all  .nanner  of  such  ill 
behavior  on  his  part,  simply  foi  the  sake  of  peace 
and  safety.  We  were  completely  in  his  power, 
and  he  could  use  us  as  he  saw  fit ;  and  the  least 
we  said  about  it  the  better.    This  head  man  wa* 


174 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


an  exception  to  all  whom  we  saw  among  the  na- 
tives for  real  ugliness.  He  was  a  regular  savage. 
We  were  glad  to  be  off. 

We  shortly  left  thin  settlement,  and  passed  on 
towards  East  Cape,  following  the  direction  of 
the  sea  coast,  which  from  the  river  is  nearly,  as 
laid  down  in  the  chart,  in  the  form  of  a  half 
circle.  We  observed  that  the  huts  and  settle- 
ments increased  as  we  came  farther  south  ;  and 
sometimes,  in  course  of  a  day  or  two,  we  would 
pass  through  several  small  settlements. 

When  we  became  wearied  and  exhausted  by 
traveling,  though  it  was  difficult  to  make  very 
rapid  progress  in  the  snow,  or  when  we  were 
hungry,  we  would  stop,  rest  ourselves,  get  some 
blubber  to  eat,  and  then  travel  on  again. 

Generally  we  found  the  natives  ready  and  will- 
ing to  help  us  with  what  they  had.  We  had 
nothing  to  give  them  in  return.  We  were  a 
company  of  beggars.  They  saw  our  destitution 
and  poverty,  and  therefore  their  kindness  to  us 
must  be  attributed  to  the  dictates  of  human  sym- 
pathy or  pity,  which  in  some  way  or  other  shows 
itself  in  the  most  barbarous  and  uncivilized  forms 
of  society. 

In  our  journey  upon  the  coast,  we  discovered 
a  new  whale  boat,  which  the  natives  had  proba- 
bly drawn  out  of  the  reach  of  the  water  and  ice. 


I  \ 


NINE   MONTHS  IN   THE   ARCTIC. 


175 


' 


We  saw,  also,  the  broadside  of  a  ship  in  the  ice 
near  the  shore,  supposed  to  be  lost  the  season 
before.  Another  ship  was  reported  to  have  been 
seen  by  some  of  our  party  in  the  ice,  some  dis- 
tance from  the  land,  with  her  masts  still  stand- 
ing. There  were  tracks  in  that  direction  in  the 
snow  upon  the  ice,  which  showed  that  the  na- 
tives had  been  to  her  with  their  dog  teams. 

As  we  passed  along,  we  saw  considerable  drift 
stuff,  such  as  wood,  broken  casks,  &c.  We  con- 
tinued on  in  our  course  on  the  coast  mostly,  find- 
ing huts  from  time  to  time,  in  which  we  obtained 
provisions  for  our  present  necessities,  until  we 
came  within  thirty  or  forty  miles  of  East  Cape, 
or  about  half  the  distance  between  the  river  and 
the  cape. 

As  the  spring  advanced,  the  sun  was  constant- 
ly attaining  a  higher  altitude  —  not  only  impart- 
ing some  additional  heat,  but  its  rays  were  pow- 
erfully reflected  from  one  dense,  unbroken  smface 
of  ice  and  snow,  which  every  where  met  the  eye 
of  the  beholder. 

A  new  misfortune  now  assailed  us  in  the  form 
of  sore  eyes,  or  snow  blindness,  which  caused 
intense  pain  in  them,  besides  being  much  swol- 
len. All  light,  especially  bright  light,  became 
exceedingly  distressing  to  us.  We  therefore 
were  compelled  to  suspend  our  traveling  in  a 


176 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


great  measure  during  the  middle  of  the  day, 
and  took  the  morning  and  afternoon,  and  even 
the  night  time,  as  more  agreeable  to  our  diseased 
eyes.  Our  eyes  were  in  such  a  sad  condition 
that  we  could  not  endure  the  powerful  a:hd  bril- 
liant reflection  of  the  sunlight  upon  snow  of 
sparkling  and  perfect  whiteness.  While  the  eyes 
of  all  of  us  were  very  sore  and  much  swollen, 
some  of  our  Lumber  were  so  blind  that  they 
could  not  see  &  ly  thing  for  several  days. 

We  were  verj  anxious  to  complete  our  journey 
to  East  Cape.  Those,  therefore,  who  could  see, 
and  were  more  fortunate  in  this  particular  than 
others,  led  along  those  who  were  blind  with  the 
aid  of  strings.  One  or  two  would  take  hold  of 
the  string,  and  another  would  guide  them.  Thus 
we  worked  along  for  miles  in  deep  snows,  through 
narrow  paths,  up  hills  and  down  declivities,  over 
broken  ice,  now  and  then  pitching  into  some 
cavity  concealed  by  the  snow.  In  this  manner 
we  who  could  see,  though  our  eyes  were  highly 
inflamed,  led  those  who  could  not,  both  by  the 
hand  and  with  the  aid  of  strings  or  walrus  cord. 
It  was  slow  and  tedious  traveling,  it  is  true ;  yet 
every  mile  we  gained  in  the  direction  of  East 
Cape  we  felt  was  bringing  us  nearer  to  deliver- 
ance. Ali  were  animated  with  the  desire  to 
reach   this  goal   of  our  highest   earthly  hopes. 


.> 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


177 


r. 


And  hence,  notwithstanding  the  many  obstruc- 
tions which  impeded  our  course,  still  with  perse- 
verance and  unyielding  purpose  we  pressed  on 
our  way. 

"When  our  eyes  were  in  their  worst  state,  we 
were  compelled  to  suspend  our  travels  altogeth- 
er ;  and  when  they  were  better,  then  we  started 
again,  and  again  led  each  other  with  strings,  un- 
til sight  returned  to  all. 

The  remedy  resorted  to  in  order  to  cure  our 
eyes  was  that  prescribed  by  the  natives,  and 
which  they  invariably  employ,  with  considerable 
success,  in  the  removal  of  this  disease,  to  which 
they  are  subject.  Some  of  na  will  carry  the 
scars  to  our  graves.  An  incision  was  made  in 
the  fleshy  part  of  the  nose,  between  the  eyes,  by 
a  sharp-pointed  knife  or  some  other  instrument. 
The  effect  of  this  treatment  was,  that  by  letting 
out  a  small  quantity  of  blood,  it  reduced  the  in- 
flammation in  our  eyes. 

We  reached  the  long  looked  for  and  wished 
for  East  Cape  on  the  25th  day  of  March,  just  six 
months  after  we  were  cast  away.  We  would, 
therefore,  as  we  review  the  past,  —  its  scenes  of 
danger,  exposure,  and  suffering  amid  the  intensest 
cold  and  death-bearing  winds  of  an  arctic  winter, 
—  gratefully  acknowledge  the  special  watchcare 
12 


178 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


of  a  benignant  Providence,  which  has  protected 
us  until  the  present  hour. 

Having  arrived  at  East  Cape,  we  were  re- 
ceived by  the  natives  with  the  most  cordial  wel- 
come. They  had  heard  before  we  came  that  a 
company  of  shipwrecked  mariners  was  on  their 
way  down  the  coast ;  and,  still  further,  the  report 
of  the  wreck,  and  the  uncommon  circumstance 
of  so  great  a  number  of  men  having  lived  with 
the  natives  for  so  many  months,  had  even  ex- 
tended several  hundred  miles  south  of  East  Cape. 

The  natives  in  this  settlement  expressed  great 
joy  in  seeing  Captain  Norton,  whom  they  had 
known  before,  and  with  whom  they  had  traded. 

Arrangements  were  made  by  the  head  man  of 
the  settlement  to  provide  for  all  the  company  as 
they  should  come  along,  in  small  parties,  from 
time  to  time. 

Here,  also,  we  were  provided  with  some  new 
native  clothes,  such  as  coats  and  pants,  mocca^ 
sons  and  caps. 


ir 


NINE  MONTHS   IN  THE   ARCTIC. 


179 


CHAPTER  X. 


East  Cape,  a  Point  of  Observation.  —  The  greater  Part  of  our  Men 
gathered  here. — The  Kanaka. — Weather  softening.  —  Ice  still 
firm.  —  Arctic  Scenes.  —  Icequakes.  —  Migratory  Fowl.  —  A 
Whale  discovered.  —  Gala  Time  among  the  Natives.  —  The  Na- 
tives thorough  Drinkers.  — A  drunken  "  Spree."  — Cruise  into  the 
Country.  —  Birds-egging.  —  Incidents.  — ^Native  Manner  of  killing 
Fowl.  —  Amusements  of  the  Natives.  — Vegetation. — Face  of  the 
Country.  —  Fish.  —  Fowl.  —  The  Ochotsk  Sea  and  Country, 

We  had  now  reached  nearly  or  quite  the  end 
of  our  journey ;  at  least  we  had  attained  one  of 
the  great  objects  of  our  desires  and  exertions.  It 
was  from  this  place  as  a  point  of  observation, 
that  most,  if  not  all,  the  ships  passing  into  the 
Arctic  Ocean  on  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  could 
be  seen;  and  hence  this  place  was  th'  ;iiost  suit- 
able locality,  from  which  we  could  be  easily 
taken  off. 

While  the  greater  part  of  t  !•'  company  re- 
mained at  this  place,  one  party  of  our  number, 
consisting  of  six  or  seven,  passed  down  the  coast 
some  considerable  distance,  perhaps  tw^enty  miles 
or  more ;  and  another  party  of  four  took  up  their 
abode  at  a  less  distance.  Our  purpose,  and,  in- 
deed, the  chief  one  we  had  in  view,  was  that,  in 


180 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


thus  distributing  ourselves  along  on  the  coast, 
we  should  be  more  likely  to  see  and  notify  any 
ship  or  ships  that  might  by  chance  be  early  upon 
the  coast,  as  to  the  locality  and  condition  of  the 
Citizen's  officers  and  crew. 

At  this  time,  which  was  the  first  of  April,  all 
of  the  ship's  company  that  had  survived  the  hor- 
rors of  an  arctic  winter  were  at  East  Cape,  and 
at  places  just  south  of  it,  except  one  poor  Ka- 
naka^ who,  in  consequence  of  frozen  feet,  was 
unable  to  travel  with  the  rest  of  us,  and  was 
therefore  left  behind  about  one  hundred  miles 
among  the  natives. 

The  weather  was  now  softening  very  percep- 
tibly, though  there  appeared  to  be  but  little  dimi- 
nution of  ice  and  snow.  The  ocean  was  not  yet 
broken  up,  but  presented  one  immovable  body 
of  ffranite  ice. 

Those  who  are  familiar  with  arctic  scenes  well 
remember  the  report  of  concussions  between 
huge  masses  and  blocks  of  ice,  the  hoarse  and 
dismal  chafings  between  contending  pieces,  and 
their  violent  agitation  by  the  action  of  a  heavy 
swell,  or  winds,  or  currents ;  at  such  times  it 
seemed  as  if  the  fabled  giants  or  gods  of  my- 
thology were  engaged  in  some  fierce  and  terrible 
encounter. 

But  now,  while  the  ocean  was  frozen  over  with 


NINE    MONTHS  IN   THE  ARCTIC. 


18] 


an  incrustation  like  one  of  the  strata  of  the 
earth's  surface,  we  were  frequently  startled  at  the 
deep  and  prolonged  sounds,  or  rumblings,  falling 
upon  our  ears  like  peals  of  thunder,  6r  discharges 
of  cannon  from  this  sea  of  solid  ice ;  and  then 
their  varied  echoes  and  reverberations  would  roll 
away  in  the  distance,  forming  a  most  sublime 
finale  to  the  music  of  an  arctic  winter. 

These  icequakes,  as  we  might  properly  call 
them,  at  the  north,  may  be  placed  in  the  same 
chapter  with  earthquakes,  exhibiting  on  a  scale 
of  astonishing  magnitude  and  inconceivable  en- 
ergy the  throes  of  nature. 

Fogs  began  to  prevail,  and  so  dense  that  we 
could  discover  an  object  only  a  very  short  dis- 
tance from  us ;  and  besides,  so  saturating  that 
they  were  equivalent  to  rain. 

In  the  months  of  October  and  November, 
various  species  of  birds  and  sea  fowl,  with  the 
exception  of  the  crow,  which  is  a  permanent  fix- 
ture in  all  climates  and  regions,  migrate  to  the 
south.  In  the  months  of  April,  May,  and  June, 
they  return  again  in  immense  numbers,  beyond 
all  calculation.  The  air  seemed  to  be  alive  with 
the  feathered  tribe. 

The  last  part  of  April  and  the  first  of  May, 
the  snow  began  to  waste  away,  and  objects  which 
had  for  mouths  been  concealed  were  now  made 


182 


THB  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


It  was  about  this  time  that  an  incident  oc- 
curred which  created  great  delight  in  the  minds 
of  the  natives.  The  thawing  away  of  the  snow 
had  revealed  to  their  rejoicing  eyes  a  dead  whale, 
which  was  found  three  or  four  miles  distant  from 
the  settlement.  It  was  probably  driven  ashore 
the  season  before,  and  thus  preserved  in  the  snow 
ar (d  ice.  It  was  a  gala  time  with  these  simple- 
hearted  and  ignorant  people.  All  that  could  go 
—  men,  women,  and  children,  hastened  to  the 
dead  whale  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  blubber. 
't  furnished  a  fresh  stock  of  provisions  for  them  ; 
ii  new  bite,  far  better,  we  presume,  than  the  old, 
which  had  become  not  only  reduced,  but  rather 
stale.  Nor  did  we  fail  of  receiving  our  supply 
from  this  newly-cut  blubber. 

It  was  deeply  interesting,  as  well  u,3  amusing, 
to  witness  the  zeal  of  the  natives  in  cutting  up 
the  whale,  and  sledding  home  the  blubber  with 
their  dog  teams.  This  was  a  valuable  prize  to 
them,  and  the  stafl  of  life. 

As  w-^  remarked  before  in  the  former  part  of 
this  narrative,  at  the  time  of  our  visiting  the 
wreck  with  the  native  g,  tl;  y  were  very  inquisi- 
tive to  know  w^hether  we  had  any  ^^:iog  to  drink 
which  would  make  hem  dance  and  sing,  and 
such  like.  From  their  gestures,  words,  and  ac- 
tions, we  knew  they  meant  rum.     In  addition  to 


NINE  MONTHS  IN   THE  ARGTIO. 


183 


our  previous  knowledge  of  their  habits  in  this 
particular,  our  further  acquaintance  with  them, 
for  half  a  year  or  more,  confirmed  us  in  the  opin- 
ion that  they  loved  ardent  spirits,  and  whenever 
and  wherever  they  could  get  it,  they  would  drink 
to  excess. 

We  found  they  were  no  half-hearted,  occa- 
sional, genteel  drinkers.  They  had  no  idea  of 
making  a  quantity  of  spirits  continue  its  enliv- 
ening and  kicking  effects  through  several  days 
and  weeks;  but  they  wanted,  and  they  would 
have,  if  furnished  with  the  means,  one  grand 
^^ burst  up"  one  tremendous  ^^ spree"  and  that 
would  end  it  for  the  present,  until  the  next  sup- 
ply could  be  obtained.  They  went  on  the  prin- 
ciple that  many  others  tolerate,  "  they  could  not 
have  too  much  of  a  good  thing." 

Some  spirits  had  been  brought  to  the  settle- 
ment, obtained  probably  by  way  of  traffic  from 
other  tribes  in  the  interior,  on  the  borders  of  the 
Ochotsk  Sea.  When  the  "fire  water"  arrived 
at  the  settlement,  it  happened  to  be  in  the  night 
time ;  and  before  much,  if  any,  of  it  was  drunk, 
the  head  man  came  to  Captain  Norton,  called 
him  up,  and  wanted  he  should  "  take  a  little,"  aa 
a  token  of  his  respect  for  the  captain,  as  was 
supposed.  By  morning,  many  of  the  natives 
who  had  drank  to  excess  were  laid  away  as  those 


1 


<m. 


ii:m 


'■%*' 


^' 


184 


THE   WHALEMAN;   OR, 


^ 


w!io  belong  to  the  class  of  quiet  ones ;  but  others 
were  noi^y,  confident,  and  brave — full  of  their 
gabble — rich  —  possessing  the  whole  creation, 
and  %  little  more. 

,  Under  these  circumstances  they  endeavored  to 
display  their  agility  and  strength,  and  perform 
wonderful  feats ;  such,  for  instance,  as  climbing 
the  pole  in  the  hut.  This  the  head  man  at- 
tempted to  do,  who  was,  as  we  should  judge, 
"  three  quarters  over,"  and  after  repeated  efforts 
succeeded  in  climbing  up  the  pole  six  or  eight 
feet. 

His  wife,  being  actuated  by  the  same  impulse, 
concluded  she  would  follow  her  husband,  and 
climb  up  after  him.  This  she  did,  and  had  got 
up  only  a  few  feet,  when  her  husban("s  strength, 
under  these  circumstances  more  quickly  developed 
than  lasting,  gave  out ;  and  yielding  to  the  sim- 
ple force  of  gravity  which  he  could  not  well  re- 
sist, came  down  upon  the  head  and  shoulders 
of  his  wife ;  and  by  his  accelerated  momentum 
both  were  brought  to  the  ground  in  double  com- 
pound confusion,  to  the  great  merriment  of  those 
of  us  who  were  looking  on  and  observing  the 
progress  of  the  scene.  It  was  one  of  the  most 
laughable  incidents  we  ever  witnessed  in  our 
lives. 

Again,  the  natives  would  display,  in  the  most 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


185 


boisterous  manner,  their  skill  in  harpooning  or 
lancing  the  whale,  or  walrus,  and  thus  brandish 
their  weapons  with  uplifted  arms,  as  if  they  were 
about  to  strike  their  prey. 

One  of  this  class  was  so  stimulated  with  al> 
coholic  strength  and  courage,  that  suiting  his 
action  to  the  word  or  impulse,  he  threw  his  spear 
with  all  his  might  into  the  broadside  of  one  of 
the  huts,  and  it  passed  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  captain's  head.  He  at  once  concluded  it 
was  time  for  him  to  seek  a  place  of  safety  a  little 
farther  off,  out  of  the  reach  of  such  dangerous 
missiles  thrown  by  irresponsible  hands.  He  was 
careful,  however,  as  it  ^"as  necessary  for  our  pro- 
tection, not  to  exhibit  any  signs  of  fear  in  their 
presence.  They  had  a  regular,  thorough-going 
drunken  time. 

Allow  us  to  say,  that  excessive^  moderate^  or 
occasional  drinking  of  alcoholic  stimulants  from 
love  to  the  "  dear  creature,"  makes  fools  not  only 
of  the  poor  natives  inhabiting  the  shores  of  the 
Arctic,  but  also  fools,  and  greater  ones  too,  of 
those  dwelling  in  the  more  civilized,  and  even 
Christianized,  portions  of  the  earth. 

In  the  month  of  May  Captain  Norton  took  a 
short  cruise  into  the  interior,  about  one  hundred 
miles,  with  the  head  man  and  several  others,  ac- 
companied by  their  dog  teams.     The  settlement 


m^ 


186 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


he  visited  was  called  Souchou.  The  principal 
food  among  the  natives  there  was  deer  meat. 
Articles  of  traffic  carried  from  the  coast  were 
whalebone,  whale,  walrus,  and  seal's  blubber; 
in  return  the  natives  bring  to  the  coast  deer  meat, 
tobacco,  spirits,  &cc. 

In  order  to  while  away  our  time  at  East  Cape 
before  ships  would  make  their  appearance,  or  the 
ice  break  up,  we  would  frequently  go  bird's-egg- 
ing. 

The  cliffs  facing  the  ocean  were  high  and 
steep,  and  various  kinds  of  birds  would  make 
their  nests  and  lay  their  eggs  in  the  crevices  and 
holes  of  the  rocks.  No  one  could  ascend  them 
unaided  from  iliK  bottom,  nor  would  any  one 
dare  descend  them  from  the  top  of  the  cliff. 

We  voiild,  therefore,  lower  down  one  and 
another  from  the  top  by  means  of  ropes,  or  wal- 
rus cord,  fastened  around  his  body ;  with  this 
precaution,  he  could  penetrate  into  recesses  in 
the  cliff,  and  obtain  as  many  eggs  as  were 
wanted,  and  then  those  at  the  top  would  draw 
him  up  again.  This  exercise  furnished  a  source 
of  amusement,  emulation,  and  personal  daring ; 
and  the  last,  though  not  the  least,  the  eggs  thus 
obtained  gave  an  agreeable  variety  to  our  "  bill 
of  fare." 

One  incident  occurred  which  came  near  having 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


187 


a  sad  tennination.  Mr.  Osborn  fell  down  a  steep 
declivity  ten  feet  or  more,  and  in  his  descent  he 
happened  to  strike  a  narrow,  i^elving  piece  of 
rock,  "just  large  enough,"  he  said,  "to  stand 
upon,"  which  saved  him  from  instant  death.  The 
distance  below  him  was  ni<>  uan  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet. 

The  Orkney  Islands  arc  »us  resort  for 

fowls,  which  build  their  neats  in  ttie  caverns  of 
perpendicular  cliffs ;  and  individuals  obtain  eggs 
in  those  places  in  the  manner  before  described, 
by  letting  down  one  and  another  from  the  top  of 
the  clif!'  by  means  of  ropes. 

A  writer  remarks,  "  I  have  heard  of  an  indi- 
vidual, who,  either  from  choice  or  necessity,  was 
accustomed  to  go  alone  on  these  expeditions; 
supplying  the  want  of  confederates  above  by 
firmly  planting  a  stout  iron  bar  in  the  earth, 
from  which  he  lowered  himself.  One  day,  hav- 
ing found  a  cavern,  he  imprudently  disengaged 
the  rope  from  his  body,  and  entered  the  cave 
with  the  end  of  it  in  his  hand.  In  the  eagerness 
of  collecting  eggs,  however,  he  slipped  his  hold 
of  the  rope,  which  immediately  swung  out  sev- 
eral yards  beyond  his  reach.  The  poor  man  was 
struck  with  horror ;  no  soul  was  within  hearing, 
nor  was  it  possible  to  make  his  voice  heard  in 
such  a  position ;  the  edge  of  the  cliff  so  projected 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


^  U2    |2.2 

^    lis    |2^ 


1.8 


IL25  II  1.4 


-► 


'J 


/A 


'^ 


'/ 


Hiotographic 

Sdaices 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14SS0 

(716)  •73-4S03 


^ 


Is 


\ 


\ 


V'^ 

'X'^ 

p 


188 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


that  he  never  could  be  seen  from  the  top,  even  it 
any  one  were  to  look  for  him;  death  seemed 
inevitable,  and  he  felt  the  hopelessness  of  his 
situation.  He  remained  many  hours  in  a  state 
bordering  on  stupefaction ;  at  length  he  resolved 
to  make  one  eflbrt,  which,  if  unsuccessful,  must 
be  fatal.  Having  commended  himself  to  God, 
he  rushed  to  the  margin  of  the  cave,  and  sprang 
into  the  air,  providentially  succeeded  in  grasping 
the  pendulous  rope,  and  was  saved." 

June  had  now  come,  with  no  very  particular 
incident  in  the  monotony  of  hut  life,  except,  per- 
haps, that  of  increased  earnestness  and  desire  to 
behold  once  more  the  sail  of  a  friendly  vessel,  and 
once  more  to  tread  her  decks.  As  the  time  ap-w 
proached  when  we  should  realize  such  an  event, 
hours  seemed  days,  and  weeks  months.  We 
visited  again  and  again  the  high  eminence  on 
East  Cape,  where  we  had  a  commanding  view 
of  the  ocean,  to  see  if  there  was  any  immediate 
prospect  of  the  ice  breaking  up  and  drifting  away. 


i 

M 

I 


THE  MANNER  OF  KILLING  DUCKS  AND  OTHER 
FOWL  PRACTICED  BY  THE  NATIVES. 

In  migrating  either  to  the  north  or  south,  ducks 
and  other  fowl  usually  fly  in  large  flocks,  and 
generally  very  low.  In  order  to  kill  the  greatest 
number,  the  natives  would  station  themselves  at 


'' 


1.  '.-y.-'-i  , 


V 


Is 


NIHI^irONTHB  IN  THB  ABCTIO. 


191 


one^nd  of  a  valley,  near  the  bottom  of  it;  and, 
if  possible,  they  would  conceal  themselves  from 
the  ducks  behind  little  hillocks.  Or  if  at  ^e  ter- 
mination of  a  valley  there  should  be  a  precipi- 
tous descent  of  several  feet,  the  natives  would  be 
sure  to  take  their  position  in  such  a  locality. 
The  fowl  usually  flew  along  in  valleys  running 
north  and  south. 

Thus  stationed,  with  neither  guns,  bows,  nor 
anows,  but  with  a  number  of  small  baUs  in  their 
hands,  connected  with  each  other  by  strings  from 
twelve  to  eighteen  inches  in  length,  they  await 
the  approach  of  their  game.  When  the  fowl  are 
sufficiently  near  for  their  purpose,  the  natives 
rise  up,  and  throw,  with  singular  force  and  pre- 
cision, these  balls  at  the  flock  of  passing  ducks. 
At  first,  when  these  balls  leave  their  hands,  they 
are  all  together  and  compact ;  but  with  increas- 
ing distance,  they  will  open  and  spread  them- 
selves to  the  extent  of  the  stiings  by  which  they 
are  tied  together,  and,  by  the  time  they  get  into 
the  midst  of  the  flock,  they  are  fully  extended; 
and  then  these  balls,  meeting  with  resistance, 
will  twist  around  the  necks,  legs,  and  wings  of 
the  fowl;  and  bring  them  to  the  ground. 

The  ducks  are  killed  by  the  natives,  not  by 
cutting  ofl*  their  heads,  or  breaking  their  necks, 
but  by  pressing  the  foot  upon  them  until  they 
cease  to  breathe. 


\m 


192 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR^ 


i/^ 


AMUSEMENTS  AMONG  THE  NATIVES. 

Dog  races  are  favorite  amusements  among  the 
natives.     Their  chief  emulation  appeared  to  be 
who  should  possess  the  best  dog  team.     He  who 
beat  in  a  race  of  sev^al  miles  obtained  a  num- 
ber of  fathoms  of  walrus  cord. 

These  dog  teams  would  sometimes  contain  as 
many  as  twenty  dogs.  At  the  time  of  a  race,  in 
which  all  the  settlement  was  greatly  interested, 
the  head  man  would  make  a  feast,  and  the  most 
important  article  on  the  occasion  would  be  seals' 
heads ;  and  for  some  purpose,  which  they  under'* 
stood  better  than  we  did,  they  would  put  coals 
of  fire,  or  brands,  in  the  mouths  of  these  heads. 

There  was  another  kind  of  amusement  in 
which  they  at  times  engaged.  A  cirxde  was 
formed  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  feet  in  diameter, 
and  in  this  circle  any  number  who  chose  might 
enter,  and  then  commenced  the  race.  He  who 
could  run  the  longest,  and  thus  tire'  the  others 
out,  obtained  the  prize,  whatever  it  might  be. 

The  head  man  of  the  settlement  would  some- 
times get  up  a  woman^s  race,  and  they  would  ran 
the  distance  with  the  greatest  fleetness.  She 
who  won  in  the  race  secured  beads,  needles, 
combs,  &c. 

Probably  the  most  exciting  of  all  their  amuse- 
ments was  that  of  jumping. 


'«fe, 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


198 


A  large  walrus  skin  was  prepared  with  holes 
made  in  the  border  of  it,  as  near  as  possible  for 
the  men  to  stand/  side  by  side,  taking  hold  of  the 
skin,  lifting  it  up  a  foot  and  a  half  from  the 
ground,  and  drawing  it  tight.  An  individual 
who  wished  to  try  his  or  her  skill  in  jumping 
would  get  upon  this  skin.  By  his  exertion,  and 
that  of  the  men  who  held  up  the  skin,  he  would 
jump  to  a  great  height ;  and  as  he  came  down, 
he  would  meet  the  upward  motion  of  the  skin, 
which  would  cause  a  sudden  rebound  to  the 
jumper.  This  process  would  continue  until  the 
individual  who  was  trying  his  skill  in  jumping 
was  brought  down  upon  his  knees,  and  then 
there  would  be  a  great  shout  and  laughter. 
Another  would  then  take  his  place  upon  the  skin. 

This  amusement  was  shared  in  mutually,  both 
by  men  and  women.  Occasionally  we  would 
try  our  skill  in  jumping.  Those  most  expert 
among  the  natives,  and  especially  among  the 
women,  would  for  a  long  time  maintain  their 
standing  upon  their  feet,  notwithstanding  the  ef- 
forts of  those  who  held  the  skin  to  get  them 
down  upon  their  knees. 


VEGETATION. 

Of  vegetation  in  the  arctic  region  we  can  say 
but  little.     In  the  valleys,  and  along  shore,  there 
13 


'V., 


194 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OR, 


was  a  variety  of  coarse  grass.  The  entire  region 
being  destitute  of  wood,  and  almost  of  every 
species  of  shrubbery  that  could  really  be  called 
such,  the  soil  consequently  was  exceedingly  bar- 
ren of  vineS)  plants,  or  flowers.  There  were, 
however,  a  few  flowering  plants  which  made 
their  a^^earance  in  the  transient  summer  allotted 
to  them. 

The  rocks  were  covered  with  coarse  moss,  and 
wherever  the  sun  melted  away  the  snow  from  the 
hill  sides,  or  plains,  or  valleys,  a  small  vine  would 
start  into  life ;  this  vine  afforded,  as  has  before 
been  observed,  the  only  bread  of  the  natives. 

We  never  learned  that  the  natives  north  of 
East  Cape  ever  attempted  to  plant  any  seed,  or 
to  raise  any  kind  of  vegetables.  ' 

tbe  face  of  the  cotjntrt. 

The  shores  of  the  arctic  are  bold  and  rocky, 
and  bordered  with  high,  frowning  clifls.  As  far 
at  the  eye  could  extend  in  an  inland  direction, 
snow-capped  peaks,  and  finally  lofty  mountain 
ranges,  filled  the  whole  field  of  vision. 

FISH. 

Besides  the  whale,  which  is  the  sovereign  of 
those,  seas,  there  are  seals,  walruses,  sharks,  nar: 
whal,  cod,  salmon,  &c. 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


195 


FOWL. 

Geese  and  ducks  are  abundant,  besides  a  great 
variety  of  other  water-fowl. 

The  country  bordering  on  the  Ochotsk  Sea,  a 
place  visited  by  hundreds  of  whalemen,  presents 
a  scenery  in  some  respects  quite  different  from 
that  of  the  arctic. 

While  the  surface  of  the  country  is  uneven, 
interspersed  with  hills,  valleys,  and  mountains, 
yet  it  is  quite  well  wooded,  especially  on  the  sea- 
board. 

As  far  north  as  60°  we  have  found  patches  of 
potatoes,  turnips,  barley,  &c.  As  soon  as  the 
snow  leaves  the  earth,  numberless  wild  flowers 
of  every  hue  and  color,  and  some  of  them  very 
odorous,  immediately  start  into  life  and  beauty, 
and  adorn  both  the  valley  and  hill  side.  And 
what  is  most  remarkable  in  the  multitude  of 
flowers  which  follow  the  line  of  retreatl  g  frost 
and  snow,  we  find  in  nature,  as  in  opposiie  and 
antagonistical  views  and  principles,  that  extremes 
meet. 

Vegetation  here  in  this  region  thrives  with  the 
greatest  possible  rapidity.  It  seems  sometimes 
to  put  on  the  air  even  of  romance,  or  fiction. 
One  season  we  were  in  the  Ochotsk  Sea,  which 
was  the  15th  of  June,  and  then  we  found  the 


196 


THE  whaleman;  or, 


country  covered  with  snow ;  but  in  less  than  ten 
days  from  that  time,  the  forests  were  leaved  out, 
and  every  thing  wore  the  dress  of  summer. 

On  the  shores  of  the  sea  in  different  localities, 
we  found  growing  in  great  profusion,  berries  of 
various  sorts,  such  as  whortleberry,  cranberry, 
blackberry,  mossberry,  &c. 

We  found  in  the  Ochotsk  Sea,  besides  the 
whale,  salmon,  trout,  cod,  eels,  butts,  and  floun- 
ders. 

In  addition  to  large  sea  fowl,  which  were  very 
numerous,  an  immense  number  of  little  birds 
swarmed  the  air,  some  of  them  of  beautiful  plu- 
mage, and  excelling  in  melodious  notes.  Many 
of  them  were  so  tame  that  they  would  light 
upon  the  ship's  rigging  and  yards,  and  even  de- 
scend to  the  deck  to  pick  up  crumbs,  or  little  par* 
tides  of  food. 


' 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ABOTIO. 


197 


I  / 


CHAPTER  XL 

The  Ocean  still  flroscn  over  on  fhe  22d  of  June.  —  On  the  24th  the 
Ice  began  to  break  up. — Whales 'appear.  —  Walrua  follow  the  Ice. 
—  Daily  looking  for  Ships.— Report  of  our  Wreck  Ave  hundred 
Miles  below  East  Cape.— Method  of  sending  News  by  the  Na- 
tives. —Ships  notified  of  our  Condition.  — How. —The  Resolution 
of  Captains  Jemegan  and  Gkrasman.  ^  Arri-^al  of  two  Ships  off 
East  Cape. — Natives  first  spj  them.  —  Stir  in  the  Settiement.  — > 
Happy  Day  of  Deliverance.  —  Words  feeble  to  express  our  Joy.  — 
A  fit  Occasion  for  Gratitude  and  Thanks  to  Ood.  —  Preparations 
to  go  on  board. — The  Welcome  of  Captain  Goosman. —Captain 
Norton  with  Captain  Jemegan. — Crew  collected.  —  Changed  our 
native  for  sailor  Dress.  —  Liberality  of  the  Officers  and  Crews  in 
ftimishing  Clothes.— A  Review  of  the  Fast— The  Settiement 
visited.  —  Dinner. — Arrival  at  the  Islands.  ^  A  Card. 


On  the  22d  of  June,  every  thing,  so  far  as  the 
eye  could  reach,  remained  the  same  upon  the 
ocean  as  in  midwinter ;  and,  to  appearance,  there 
was  no  immediate  prospect  that  the  ice  would 
break  up  for^somc  time  to  come. 

On  the  24th,  however,  only  two  days  aftei* 
wards,  vast  masses  of  ice  had  left  the  ocean, 
water  appeared  in  every  direction,  though  the 
shore  along  the  coast  was  piled  up  with  immense 
blocks  and  sheets  of  ice ;  and  in  the  distance  we 
could  clearly  perceive  varied  elevations  of  ice- 


198 


'THE  WHALIMAN  ;  OB, 


bergs,  differing  in  dimensions  and  fomii  scat- 
tered here  and  there  upon  the  surface  of  the 
water.  The  scene  presented  to  our  view  was 
that  pf  an  awful  wreck  or  convulsion  in  na- 
ture, while  those  stupendous  fragments  exhib- 
ited the  force  and  energy  which  had  been 
displayed. 

The  next  day,  the  25th,  we  saw  whales  close 
in  to  the  edge  of  the  ice  on  shore ;  they  remained 
in  the  vicinity  several  days,  and  then  went  south 
again,  or  to  some  other  part  of  the  ocean,  as  we 
supposed,  for  their  food. 

The  ice  having  left  this  region  more  suddenly 
than  common,  greatly  disappointed  the  usual 
expectations  of  the  natives  in  taking  a  large 
number  of  walrus,  which  are  highly  prized  among 
them.  They  serve  about  the  same  purpose  with 
them  as  the  reindeer  does  to  the  Laplander. 

The  walrus  follow  the  ice ;  and  they  are  usu- 
ally found  in  great  abundance  among  it,  |ind  es- 
pecially upon  the  edges  of  extensive  tracts  both 
of  floating  and  field  ice. 

After  the  ice  had  passed  away,  and  the  ocean 
was  once  more  free  from  the  embargo  which 
winter  had  laid  upon  it,  we  anxiously  and  daily 
looked  for  some  approaching  sail.  We  knew  that 
arctic  whalemen  would  soon  be  along,  and  presE^- 
ing  their  way  up  towards  higher  latitudes,  an  open 


•  •    4 


'X 


MINI  MONTHS  IN  THE  AROTIO. 


199 


8ea  would  invite  them  to  secure  a  profitable  sea 
Bon*8  work. 

We  afterwards  ascertained  that  intelligence 
of  our  condition  had  been  carried  down  the  coast 
full  five  hundred  miles  below  or  south  of  East 
Cape,  and  that  the  ships  which  first  touched 
upon  the  coast  were  made  acquainted  with  the 
fact  of  the  Citizen's  wreck,  and  that  her  officers 
and  crew  were  among  the  natives. 

Captain  Newal,  of  the  ship  Copia,  was  the 
first  one  who  heard  of  the  fate  of  the  Citizen. 

The  method  by  which  the  news  of  the  ship's 
disaster,  and  the  condition  of  her  crew,  was  con- 
veyed down  the  coast,  is  at  once  striking  and 
ificant. 

Tracts,  those  little  messengers  of  truth,  become 
oftentimes  the  appointed  vehicles  both  of  tempo- 
ral and  sphritual  blessings.  Tracts  were  found 
in  several  huts  of  the  natives,  carried  thither,  we 
suppose,  by  seamen ;  and  with  the  exception  of 
pieces  of  copper,  they  were  all  that  could  be 
written  upon,  and  thus  the  only  reliable  means 
of  communication.  From  the  first,  therefore,  the 
captain  and  his  officers  availed  themselves  of 
this  instrumentality ;  and,  whenever  they  found 
a  leaf  of  a  book  or  a  tract,  or  a  piece  of  copper, 
if  opportunity  occurred,  they  would  send  it  down 
the  coast  by  the  natives,  carefully  enclosed  in  a 


200 


THE  whaleman;  OB, 


piece  of  walrus  or  deer  skin,  giving  some  account 
of  the  shipwreck,  officers,  and  crew,  and  where 
they  could  be  found. 

We  hoped  by  this  means  that  the  news  of  our 
condition  would,  sooner  or  later,  reach  the  ear 
of  some  navigator  early  on  the  coast,  and  thus 
bring  to  pass  a  more  speedy  deliverance. 

In  this,  as  the  sequel  will  show,  we  were  not 
disappointed.  The  natives  had  no  idea  of  writ- 
ten language ;  and,  believing  that  something  of 
great  importance  was  marked  upon  either  the 
paper  or  copper,  or  both,  they  preserved  it  with 
the  greatest  care,  and  almost  with  superstitious 
reverence. 

They  had  an  impression  that  we  could  con- 
verse with  our  countrymen  and  absent  friends  in 
this  way,  which  was  true ;  but  what  they  sup- 
posed was,  that  we  could  talk  to  them  at  any 
time  by  those  mysterious  marks.  And  hence 
they  frequently  urged  us  to  speak  to  them,  and 
obtain  some  assistance  from  them,  or  that  they 
might  send  some  aid  to  us. 

Mr.  Reoy,  one  of  our  company,  was  the  first 
to  get  on  board  of  a  ship,  —  the  Bartholomew 
Gosnold,  —  he  being  down  some  two  hundred 
miles  below  East  Cape.  He  therefore  gave  im- 
mediate information  as  to  the  locality  of  the 
officers  and  crew  of  the  Citizen. 


*%■ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


201 


About  this  time  there  were  five  ships  at  or 
near  Indian  Point,  working  their  way  towards 
the  north  through  the  floating  ice.  The  news 
of  the  shipwreck  was  brought  to  these  ships  by 
the  natives,  bearing  in  their  hands  tracts  and 
pieces  of  copper,  written  upon  by  the  captain 
and  his  officers,  stating  the  wreck,  where  the 
company  could  be  found,  and  their  earnest  de- 
sire to  be  taken  off.  The  natives  approached 
the  ships,  lying  off  a  short  distance  from  the 
shore,  holding  up  in  their  hands  those  mysterious 
parchments,  in  order  to  attract  the  attention  of 
those  on  board.  The  story  was  soon  told.  The 
tracts  and  pieces  of  copper  at  once  removed  all 
uncertainty  which  had  for  months  surrounded 
the  fate  of  the  Citizen  and  the  condition  of  her 
officers  and  crew. 

The  announcement  that  so  many  fellow-sea- 
men were  still  in  the  land  of  the  Jiving;  that 
they  had  survived  the  rigors  of  an  arctic  win- 
ter ;  that  they  were  not  far  up  the  coast,  —  less 
than  a  day's  sail,  —  and  that  they  were  anx- 
iously and  hourly  looking  and  waiting  for  ap- 
proaching ships,  was  enough  to  stir  the  deepest 
sympathies  of  every  mariner's  heart. 

With  the  least  possible  delay,  being  impelled 
not  only  by  a  sense  of  duty,  but  actuated  by  the 
most  generous  and  philanthropic  sentiments  and 


V 


202 


THB  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


emotions,  Captain  Jernegan,  of  the  ship  Niger, 
and  Captain  Goosman,  of  the  ship  Joseph  Hay- 
den,  left  immediately  to  secure  the  unfortunate 
ones  on  East  Cape,  firmly  resolving,  like  true 
sons  of  the  ocean,  "  We  will  have  them  on 
board  before  to-morrow  night."  This  was  early 
in  the  morning.  They  were  distant  from  East 
Cape  more  than  fifty  miles.  With  a  favoring 
wind,  and  success  attending  their  efforts  in  get- 
ting through  the  drifting  ice,  they  reached  the 
cape  next  day,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
only  a  few  miles  in  the  offing,  s^d  in  sight  of 
the  settlement. 

The  natives  were  the  first  to  spy  the  ships,  and 
one  immediately  rushed  in  and  informed  Captain 
Norton  they  had  come. 

Though  it  was  an  event  which  we  all  had 
long  looked  for  and  earnestly  desired,  and  time 
indeed  had  rolled  heavily  on  its  wheels  in  bring- 
ing the  happy  day  of  deliverance,  yet  when  it 
was  announced  to  us,  we  could  hardly  believe  it. 
Somehow  or  other,  having  been  so  long  inured 
to  disappointment,  we  felt  for  the  moment  it  was 
too  much  and  too  good  news  to  credit. 

The  native  who  informed  the  captain  at  this 
time  had  several  times  before  told  him  that  ^hips 
were  coming,  but  which  proved  false.  He  was 
therefore  inclined  to  give  but  partial  credit  to  his 


NINB  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


203 


statement  now.  The  native  came  again  and 
again  to  the  captain  with  the  same  report,  and 
manifested  so  much  earnestness  and  interest  that 
the  captain  said  to  Mr.  Osbom,  who  was  near 
him,  "  There  must  be  something  in  this  fellow's 
statement ;  get  up,  and  see  if  it  is  so."  Besides, 
there  was  increasing  stir,  loud  talk,  and  running 
hither  and  thither  in  the  settlement  —  all  of 
which  convinced  the  doubtftd  that  the  ships  were 
indeed  in  sight,  and  that  the  joyous  day  of  de- 
liveranc04iad  surely  arrived. 

Well,  we  went  out  of  the  settlement  to  see, 
and  it  was  too  true  to  doubt  any  longer;  the 
ships  were  in  sight,  and  standing  in  towards  the 
land.  By  this  time  every  man  in  our  company 
had  been  aroused,  and  was  on  the  lookout ;  and 
the  natives  also  seemed  to  partake  of  the  com- 
mon joy  in  anticipation  of  our  deliverance  being 
so  near. 

How  feeble  are  words  to  express  the  emotions 
of  gratitude  and  joy  that  thrilled  through  every 
mind!  If  tears  of  sorrow  had  been  shed  in 
months  past  over  prolonged  disappointment  and 
subsequent  suffering, — if  our  spirits  had  become 
hardened  by  repeated  misfortunes  and  depriva- 
tions, which  no  language  can  depict,  —  tears 
now  fell,  prompted  by  far  different  feelings ;  our 
hearts  were  no  longer  indurate,  but  dissolved 


204 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


like  water ;  and  every  countenance  gave  expres- 
sions of  joyous  and  exhilarating  hope. 

What  a  fit  occasion  was  this  for  a  most  hearty 
and  unanimous  recognition  from  all  our  company 
of  profound  gratitude  to  God  that  so  mfiny  of 
us  had  been  thus  far  preserved,  and  were  now 
indulging  in  the  animating  prospect  of  seeing 
our  native  homes,  relatives,  and  friends  once 
more !  The  God  of  heaven  and  earth  should  in 
this  manner  be  honored  and  glorified  in  the 
presence  of  pagans,  and  thus  put  to  silence  their 
vain  and  imaginary  superstitions. 

Indeed,  one  of  our  number  was  so  deeply  af- 
fected and  overcome  with  the  sight  before  him, 
and  prompted  by  a  sense  of  the  deliverance 
which  a  mercifid  Providence  was  working  out 
for  him  and  his  companions,  that  he  fell  upon 
his  knees  and  blessed  the  Lord  that  he  was  per- 
mitted "to  see  once  more  another  ship  under 
sail." 

The  two  ships  that  were  in  sight,  and  ap- 
proaching  land,  were  the  Niger,  Captain  Jeme- 
gan,  and  the  Joseph  Hayden,  Captain  Goosman. 
Preparations  were  now  made,  in  the  most  ex- 
peditious manner  possible,  to  go  on  board.  The 
canoes  of  the  natives  were  got  ready ;  but  before 
any  thing  could  be  done  towards  carrying  us  to 
the  ships,  they  first  made  a  fire  in  the  boats 


f  \ 


I  / 


ilkaMMiAM'/^Wa** 


^ 


^■i 


W. 


>  i 


NINB  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


207 


in  order  to  drive  out  the  Evil  One ;  and  then, 
that  we  might  not  pollute  their  boats,  some  "  ice 
cream  '^  -^  deer  fat  and  snow  —  must  be  given  to 
them  to  eat,  as  they  supposed.  Thus  reasoned 
the  natives. 

Soon,  however,  we  were  on  our  way  to  the 
ships.  Most  gladly  we  turned  away  our  eyes 
from  the  shore,  and  turned  them  towards  our  bet- 
ter home  on  the  deep. 

The  ship  which  was  the  nearer  of  the  two  to 
the  shore,^and  on  board  of  which  Captain  Nor- 
ton and  his  officers  first  went,  was  the  Joseph 
Hayden.  When  Captain  Norton  landed  on 
deck,  dressed  in  native  costume,  unshorn,  and 
uncouth  in  appearance,  as  all  were.  Captain 
Goosman  asked,  as  well  he  might,  and  as  any 
other  one  would,  **  Is  this  Norton^  captain  of  the 
Citizen?''  He  replied,  *<He  used  to  be,  and 
probably  was  now."  Captain  Goosman  then 
embraced  him  in  true  sailor  fashion,  and  cor-, 
dially  welcomed  him  and  his  officers  tO' the  hos- 
pitalities of  his  ship.  In  a  few  days,  neeurly  all 
of  our  number  were  collected  from  the  different 
settlements,  and  divided  between  the  two  ships. 

Captain  Norton,  being  a  fellow-townsman  and 
formerly  a  schoolmate  with  Captain  Jernegan, 
felt  disposed,  from  this  previous  acquaintance,  to 
take  up  his  abode  on  board  of  the  Niger.   Every 


m. 


208 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


facility  and  comfort  the  ship  afforded  was  most 
cheerfully  offered  by  Captain  Jernegan  to  Cap- 
tain Norton  and  those  of  his  officers  on  board 
with  him. 

We  soon  exchanged  the  burdensome,  and  un- 
wieldy deer-skin  clothes,  which  had  so  long  iden- 
tified us  with  arctic  natives  and  arctic  life,  for  the 
lighter  and  more  agreeable  dress  of  the  sailor. 

In  supplying  our  company  with  such  articles 
of  clothing  as  we  needed,  (indeed,  we  were  ab- 
solutely destitute,  having  nothing  but  what  we 
stood  in,)  the  officers  and  sailors  of  the  respective 
ships  most  generously  contributed  to  relieve  our 
present  necessities.  They  rejoiced  in  the  oppor- 
tunity of  effecting  the  deliverance  of  their  fel- 
low shipwrecked  mariners,  and  considered  it  one 
of  the  most  joyous  events  in  their  lives  that  they 
had  done  something  towards  augmenting  the 
sum  of  human  happiness,  and  thus  becoming  the 
means  of  kindling  anew,  in  many  minds,  aspira- 
tions and  hopes  which  had  well  nigh  become  ex- 
tinguished. 

Thus,  after  a  series  of  sufferings  and  painful 
reminiscences, — the  loss  of  our' ship,  with  five 
of  our  number  at  the  time  of  the  wreck,  and  one 
froz'en  to  death  while  traveling,  —  having  expe- 
rienced the  drea^ul  rigors  of  a  northern  winter 
and  life  among  the  natives,  amid  untold  filthiness 


!  \ 


.....I,  ■■atl*lt«!„.,iu|[ 


NINB  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTICL 


209 


and  degradation,  —  shut  out  from  the  hearing 
and  company  of  friends  and  the  whole  civilized 
world,  —  after  nine  months  and  eight  days,  on 
the  4th  of  July,  1853,  we  found  ourselves  safe 
and  happy  on  the  decks  of  friendly  vessels,  with 
excellent  accommodations,  and  all  that  fellow- 
seamen  could  do  to  make  us  comfortable  and 
contented. 


Four  or  five  days  after,  the  two  ships  above 
mentioned,  with  some  others,  put  into  East  Cape. 
The  natives  came  off  in  their  canoes,  as  usual, 
to  trade. 

Captain  Norton,  with  several  masters  of  ships, 
went  ashore,  and  visited  the  settiement  where  he 
and  his  men  had  lived,  and  called  for  dinner  at 
one  of  the  huts.  His  object  was  that  his  Mends 
might  hi^ve  some  idea  of  the  manner  of  cooking, 
as  well  as  the  articles  of  food,  among  the  natives, 
and  how  they  prepared  dinner. 

The  sight  was  enough  for  Captain  Jernegan, 
who  left  the  hut  as  soon  as  possible,  while  hits 
stomach  sought  to  relieve  itself  by  several  invol- 
untary throws  !  t  i':r  : 

Captain  Norton  made  some  littie  presents  to 

the  natives  in  consideration  of  their  interest  in 

him  aijd  his  men  during  their  abode  with  them. 

He  collected  various  articles  from  the  ships,— 

14 


21D 


TIE  WHALBMAN  :   OB, 


fliooh  as  needles,  combs,  tobacco,  pipes,  &c.,  -*- 
and  distributed  them  among  the  boys,  girls, 
fathers,  and  mothers.  They  were  delighted  with 
these  unexpected  gifts,  and  expressed  their  joy 
in  a  great  many  fantastic  ways. 

The  next  morning,  a  violent  blow  came  on, 
and  the  Niger  was  obliged  to  take  her  anchor, 
and  go  to  sea.  Several  ships  parted  their  chains. 
The  captain  remained  on  board  of  the  Niger 
most  of  the  season,  when  an  opportunity  oc- 
curred for  him  to  take  passage  in  the  ship  Helen 
Augusta,  Captain  Fales,  bound  to  the  islands. 
This  he  did,  and  arrived  at  Honolulu  on  the  5th 
of  October,  1853. 

The  officers  and  ciew  of  the  Citizen  were  dis- 
itaributed  among  the  ships  in  the  ieet  as  then 
wrvioes  were  needed. 

The  report  of  the  disaster  of  the  Citizen,  and 
the  rescue  of  her  crew,  preceded  him,  and  had 
already  reached  the  islands  before  Captain  Nor- 
ton's airivaL 

The  news  was  brought  by  a  ship  which  left 
the  Arctic  about  the  middle  of  the  whale  season, 
and  touched  at  San  Francisco,  and  from  thence 
was  sent  to  the  islands  and  to  ihe  Atlantic  states, 
to  New  Bedford,  and  Edgartown. 

A  few  weeks  after  the  captain's  arrival,  eigh- 
teen of  hb  former  crew  had  come  along  in  diii^- 


f\ 


r*H 


NINE  MONTIS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


211 


ent  BhipB,  and  were  well  cared  for,  as  shipwrecked 
seamen,  by  the  American  consul  at  Honolulu. 
Not  long  after,  the  officers,  and  all  the  crew 
with  the  exception  of  two,  had  arrived  at  the 
islands. 

It  is  proper  here  to  state  the  readiness  with 
which  aid  was  proffered  in  supplying  the  neces- 
sary wants  of  the  destitute  among  our  number. 
The  shipwreck  and  nine  months  in  the  Arctic 
had  left  some  of  our  companions  absolutely  des- 
titute ;  and  when  they  airived  at  ike  islands,  after 
move  than  a  year's  absence  at  the  north,  they 
had  bat  little,  if  any  thing  more  than  in  what 
they  stood,  or  what  they  had  on. 

There  were  not  wanting,  however,  kind  fiaends, 
willing  minds,  and  generous  hearts  at  the  islands, 
both  cunong  the  citizens  of  the  place  and  officers 
of  ships  in  port,  who  che^uUy  rendered  imme- 
diate  aid  to  the  needy  and  destitute. 

The  following  Card  was  published  in  The 
Polynesian  November  19, 1853 :  — 


**  Captain  Thomas  H.  Norton,  late  of  the 
wlialeship  Citizen,  of  New  Bedford,  wrecked 
in  the  Arctic  Ocean  September  25,  1852,  re- 
turns his  thanks  to  Captain  Ooosman,  of  the 
ship  Joseph  Hayden,  for  relief  afforded  himself 
and  men,  in  taking  them  off  Kast  Cape,  and 


v\ 


212 


TRS  WHALm AN  ;  OR 


proyiding  them  with  necessarieB  when  they  weio 
deititate. 

**  Captain  N.  would  also  return  his  thanks  to 
Captain  Fales,  of  the  Helen  Augusta,  Captaintf^ 
Jernegan,  Tiltori)  Pierce,  and  Gardner,  for  many 
acts  of  kindness  and  relief  afforded  himself  and 
crew. 


Thos.  H.  Norton. 


Nov.  17, 1853." 


Having  disposed  of  some  oil  and  provisions 
which  were  stored  at  Hilo,  Captain  Norton  now 
turned  his  face  towards  home,  and  engagec^^  a 
passage  in  the  ship  Harriet  Hoxie,  Captain  M. 
Passages,  however,  were  freely  and  cordially  of- 
fered to  him  in  other  ships. 

Before  the  sailing  of  the  ship.  Captain  Stott, 
of  the  ship  Northern  Light,  proposed  to  Captain 
Norton  to  take  his  ship  for  another  season,  as  he 
himself  did  not  wish  to  go  in  her  the  third  sea- 
son to  the  north. 

Captain  Norton  had  made  up  his  mind,  and 
felt  anxious  to  return  home  to  his  family  and 
friends,  and  reluctant  to  remain  away  any  longer, 
since  his  life  had  been  spared  amid  so  many 
scenes  of  trial  and  suffering  through  which  he 
had  passed.  >^ 

Upon   further    reflection,    however.    Captain 


.1 


NIN!  IfOHTHS  IV  TBB  AROTIO. 


218 


Norton  changed  his  purpose;^  and  the  terms 
which  he  named  to  Captain  Btott  being  accept- 
ed, he  concluded  he  would  try  hit»  success  in  the 
Northern  Light,  and,  if  possible,  retrieve  his  past 
misfortune. 


V. 


214 


THB  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


CHAPTER    XII. 


A  Whaling  Community.  —  Interest  felt  for  absent  Ones.  —  The 
first  Intelligence  flrom  the  Whaling  Fleet. — California  Mail.— 
Further  News  firom  the  Islands.  —  "  Missing  Ships." — No  Report 
of  the  Citixen.  —  No  Letters. — Fears  as  to  her  Safety. —When 
last  spoken  with.  —  Either  lost  or  frozen  up  in  the  Arctic.  ^Sup- 
posed Fate  of  Officers  and  Crew.  —  Distressing  Suspense.  ■—  Hoping 
against  Hope.  — Prayer  answered.  —  The  first  Intelligence  from 
the  Citizen.  —  Joy  in  Families.  —  Captain  Norton's  Arrival  at 
Home,  and  subsequently  the  Arrival  of  his  Officers,  belonging  to 
this  Place. 


In  a  community  like  ours,  in  which  the  chief 
and  principal  occupation  of  the  male  portion  of 
i(  is  in  the  whale  fishery,  there  is  scarcely  a  fam- 
ily, and  perhaps  not  one,  but  has  some  near  or 
more  remote  relative  absent  at  sea.  It  is,  there- 
fore, by  no  means  surprising  that  more  than  or- 
dinary interest  should  be  felt  and  manifested  in 
behalf  of  those  who  "  do  business  upon  the  great 
waters." 

In  some  towns  upon  the  seaboard,  the  inhabit- 
ants are  engaged  in  other  kinds  of  fishery,  such 
as  the  cod  and  mackerel  fishery ;  but  from  the 
port  of  Edgartown  not  a  solitary  vessel  of  this 
description   sails.      It  is  wholly  whaling,  with 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


215 


but  few  exceptions  in  case  of  those  who  are  en- 
gaged in  the  merchant  or  freighting  service,  and* 
they  sail  from  other  ports. 

As  a  general  thing,  the  boys  and  young  men 
contemplate  whaling  as  chiefly  worthy  of  their 
emulation  and  pursuit.  It  is  identified  with 
their  first  impressions;  and  subsequent  years 
only  tend  to  deepen  those  impressions,  and  ripen 
them  into  irrepressible  desire  and  relish  for  the 
whaling  business. 

A  very  large  proportion  of  captains  and  offi- 
cers belonging  to  this  place  and  other  parts  of 
the  island  sail  in  ships  owned  principally  both  in 
New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven.  Indeed,  they  have 
contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  commercial 
jMTosperity  of  those  places.  It  is  worthy  of  re- 
mark, however,  in  passing,  just  to  state  that  the 
number  of  vessels  connected  with  the  business 
of  whaling,  belonging  to  this  place,  has  doubled 
within  four  years.  This  shows  an  active  spirit 
of  enterprise  which  we  trust  will  be  largely  in- 
creased in  coming  years. 

The  first  partial  intelligence  from  the  northern 
whaling  fleet  usually  arrives  at  home  ports  some 
time  in  the  month  of  October.  The  early  arri- 
val of  a  ship  at  the  islands,  or  at  some  port  on 
the  Pacific,  from  the  whale  ground,  furnishes  this 
report  as  to  the  general   success  of  whalemen 


216 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


about  the  middle  of  the  season  —  whether  the 
*"  catch "  has  been  good  or  moderate,  very  good 
or  deficient.  A  few  scattering  letters  are  also 
brought  by  this  early  means  of  conveyance, 
which,  being  deposited  in  the  mail,  soon  find 
their  way  across  the  isthmus,  into  the  hands  of 
relatives  and  friends  at  home. 

About  this  time,  solicitude  begins  to  be  appar- 
ent in  the  inquiries  made  respecting  absent  hus- 
bands, sons,  relatives,  and  townsmen,  as  to  the 
probable  results  of  the  "  whale  season,"  how  the 
ships  have  done,  and  the  health  and  lives  of  those 
who  are  abroad. 

Every  California  mail  will,  therefore,  for 
months  to  come,  be  looked  for  with  increasing 
interest,  because  it  may  be  the  bearer  either 
of  joy  Or  sorrow  to  many  hearts  and  family 
circles. 

In  the  month  of  November,  still  further  intel- 
ligence is  received  from  the  whaling  fleet ;  pre- 
vious reports  are  corrected,  and  additional  ones  )^ 
are   given.     The  first  section  of  the   fleet  has 
already  arrived  at  the  islands. 

la  the  months  of  December  and  January,  the 
mail  brings  still  additional  news,  and  more  cor- 
rect than  hitherto.  The  great  majority  of  the 
ships  that  intended  to  touch  at  the  islands  on 
their  return  from  the  north  are  reported  at  this 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


217 


K 


time.  The  ordinary  vehicles  of  public  intel- 
ligence —  newspapers  and  letters,  both  firom  the 
islands  and  from  thf%  Pacific  coast  —  unite  in 
announcing  the  grand  rendezvous  or  arrival  of 
northern  whalemen. 

If,  now,  there  should  be  ships  not  included  in 
the  late  report,  and  from  which  no  recent  let- 
ters have  been  received  either  by  owners  or  rel- 
atives, and  those  ships  not  having  been  spoken 
with  by  others,  they  are  specially  marked  as 
*<  missing  ships,''  and  serious  apprehensions  be- 
gin to  be  entertained  lest  some  disaster  may 
have  befallen  them. 

The  mail  in  February  or  March  is  supposed 
to  bring  from  the  islands  and  intermediate  ports 
aU  the  reliable  information  respecting  those  ships 
that  have  arrived  during  the  last  four  months. 
Therefore  a  ship  not  reported  now  must  have 
either  gone  to  some  other  port,  or  never  left  the 
northern  seas,  or  been  wrecked  and  lost. 

This  was  the  case  with  the  ship  Citizen. 
There  was  no  account  of  her  arrival  at  the  isl- 
ands, agreeably  to  the  intention  of  Captain 
Norton  on  his  return  from  the  Arctic ;  his  friends 
at  home,  therefore,  looked  for  the  report  of  his 
arrival,  if  not  among  the  first,  certainly  among 
the  last. 

Besides,  there  were  neither  letters  from  him  or 


imm 


218 


TH£  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


his  officers,  none  to  relatives,  none  to  the  owners 
of  the  ship.  Other  families  had  heard  from  ab- 
sent ones,  and  were  made  to  rejoice  ;  those  inter- 
ested in  the  fate  of  the  Citizen,  however,  were 
filled  with  sadness  and  sorrow. 

The  absence  of  letters  was  ominous  of  some- 
thing fearful  and  distressing.  Captain  Clough 
spoke  with  Captain  Norton  on  the  23d  of  Sep- 
tember, in  the  Arctic  Ocean,  lat.  68®  or  69'  N. ; 
and  this  was  the  last  and  only  intelligence  from 
the  missing  ship.  This  occurred,  as  it  appeared, 
only  two  days  before  the  wreck  of  the  Citizen. 
Not  having  arrived  at  the  islands,  nor  reported 
from -any  other  place,  the  conclusion  to  which  all 
came  was  at  once  reasonable  and  just — either 
that  the  ship  was  frozen  up  in  the  Arctic,  or  cast 
away  on  the  coast,  and  her  officers  and  crew,  if 
living,  among  the  natives. 

Reflections  of  this  sort  gave  confirmation  to 
the  worst  of  fears,  and  wrought  in  the  minds  of 
relatives  and  Mends,  and  the  community  at  large, 
an  alternation  of  some  slight  hope,  on  the  one 
hand,  that  they  might  after  all  be  safe,  and,  on 
the  other,  the  distressing  fear  that  they  had  com- 
pleted their  last  voyage  on  earth,  or  perhaps  w^ere 
lingering  out  a  miserable  existence  amid  the  rig- 
ors of  an  arctic  winter. 

How  little  there  was  upon  which  to  build  a 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


219 


favorable  hope !  How  weak  and  superficial  the 
foundation  which  engrossing  and  prevailing  ap- 
prehensions would  not  instantly  sweep  away  and 
scatter  to  the  winds !  Indeed,  whatever  conclu- 
sions might  have  been  drawn  respecting  the  fate 
of  the  Citizen,  her  officers,  and  crew,  how  small 
encouragement  there  was  in  the  whole  field  of 
imaginary  probabilities  in  their  favor,  to  relieve 
the  minds  of  those  at  home  from  the  constantly 
pressing  weight  of  corroding  anxiety  and  distress- 
ing solicitude  respecting  them ! 

Uncertainty  and  suspense  with  regard  to  an 
important  event  is  one  of  the  most  trying  states 
of  mind  in  which  an  individual  can  be  placed. 
How  true  this  is  when  the  life  of  some  friend 
appears  to  be  suspended  upon  the  slightest 
possible  contingency!  Now  indications  seem 
auspicious  and  hopeful ;  then,  again,  adverse 
and  threatening  symptoms  dissipate  every  cher- 
ished anticipation. 

Instances  have  been  recorded  in  which  those 
who  were  shipwrecked  and  threatened  with  in- 
stant death  on  every  side,  while  the  prospect  of 
deliverance  was  exceedingly  small  or  absolutely 
cut  off,  have  even  desired  the  approaching  crisis, 
however  decisive  it  might  be,  whether  of  life  or 
death,  as  far  less  distressing  than  the  dreadful 
suspense  which  for  hours,  and  even  days,  hung 
over  them. 


220 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OB, 


For  years,  until  all  hope  has  at  length  been 
abandoned,  the  civilized  world,  and  especially 
the  commercial  part  of  it,  was  in  a  state  of 
profound  suspense  respecting  the  fate  of  Sir 
John  Franklin  and  his  companions,  entombed  in 
the  Arctic.  How  much  sympathy  there  was  felt 
and  expressed  for  the  distinguished  lady  of  the 
explorer,  who  wm  unwilling  to  withhold  any  rea- 
sonable and  even  extraordinary  efforts  for  his  de- 
liverance while  the  faintest  color  of  encourage- 
ment existed  in  his  favor !  Wealth  was  poured 
out  like  water ;  and  strong,  self-denying,  adven- 
turous men  started  up  and  volunteered  their  ser- 
vices to  traverse  again  the  inhospitable  regions 
of  the  north ;  peradventure  they  might  find  some 
traces  of  the  explorers,  whether  living  or  dead. 
Through  scores  of  months  of  hope  and  fear,  dis- 
tracting anxiety  and  painful  apprehensions,  she 
suffered  for  her  husband  a  thousand  times  more 
than  the  certainty  which  his  death  would  have 
(^used. 

It  was  precisely  this  state  of  mind  which  ex- 
cited and  agitated  many  families  in  Edgartown 
in  relation  to  the  uncertainty  which  surrounded 
the  fate  of  the  Citizen  and  those  who  sailed  in 
her. 

There  was  a  remote,  and  yet  very  slender 
clinging  to  a  bare  possibility  that  they  might  be 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


221 


among  the  living;  but  at  the  same  time,  as 
if  to  extinguish  every  spark  of  hope,  the  imagi- 
nation could  hardly  picture  or  conceive  a  condi- 
tion in  which  they  could  live  in  the  arctic  regions. 
While  "  hoping  against  hope,"  and  even  beyond 
it,  because  hope  is  the  only  preservative  against 
despair,  yet  it  seemed  as  if  forlornness  stood 
ready  to  mock  the  fugitive  idea  that  it  could  be 
well  with  them* 

Thus  more  than  twelve  months  rolled  their 
rounds,  and  no  ray  of  light  was  shed  upon  this 
dark  event  of  Providence. 

How  many  times  the  relatives  met  to  talk  over 
this  common  affliction  and  calamity !  to  min- 
gle together  their  sympathies,  for  adversity  binds 
kindred  hearts !  to  send  up  united  desires  to  God 
that  deliverance  in  some  way  which  they  knew 
not,  but  which  Infinite  Wisdom  only  knew,  might 
be  wrought  out  for  the  husband,  and  sons,  and 
brothers,  if  still  in  being ! 

If  meetings  and  partings,  however,  brought  no 
outward,  substantial  relief,  nor  removed  in  the 
least  degree  the  same  appalling  uncertainty  which 
enshrouded  the  future,  this  great  truth  they 
learned  in  many  sleepless  nights,  and  tedious 
days,  weeks,  and  months  —  that  they  should 
"trust  in  God,"  and  stay  themselves  upon  his 
mighty  hand. 


222 


THE  WHALEMAN;   OR, 


Not  only  was  private  prayer  offered  to  Him 
whose  ear  is  ever  attentive,  who  knows  and  re- 
cords the  pleadings  of  every  humble  worshipper, 
who  marks  the  beatings  of  every  burdened  heart, 
but  the  spirit  of  supplication  was  manifested  in 
the  house  of  God,  and  one  general  desire  per- 
vaded the  community  that  He  who  can  "bring 
light  out  of  darkness,"  and  sustain  when  all  hu- 
man helpers  fail,  would  grant  a  great  deliverance, 
and  return  the  absent  ones  once  more  to  their 
families  and  friends. 

Prayer  was  heard;  and  tidings  of  good,  of 
hope,  and  safety  were  already  being  borne  over 
the  ocean  wave,  and  hastening  homewards  upon 
the  wings  of  the  wind. 

In  October,  by  an  early  arrival  at  San  Fran- 
cisco from  the  Arctic,  it  was  reported  that  the 
ship  Citizen  had  been  wrecked  the  year  before, 
in  September ;  that  a  number  of  her  crew  were 
lost  at  the  time  of  the  wreck ;  that  the  captain, 
officers,  and  remaining  part  of  the  men  had  win- 
tered among  the  natives ;  that  they  were  now  on 
board  of  several  ships  in  that  ocean,  and,  at  the 
close  of  the  whaling  season,  they  would  be  at 
the  islands. 

This  was  the  first  intelligence  from  the  ship, 
for  more  than  twelve  months,  which  imparted  the 
least  reasonable  hope  to  the  friends  at  home.     It 


M' 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


223 


was  indeed  hailed  with  joyous  emotions,  and 
profound  gratitude  to  God.  It  at  once  lifted  off 
a  ponderous  load  of  anxiety,  solicitude,  and  sor- 
row from  many  hearts. 

Spring  and  summer,  with  their  singing  birds, 
radiant,  suns,  balmy  air,  refreshing  showers,  ver- 
dant landscapes,  and  placid  waters,  had  come 
and  gone ;  Nature  had  put  oiOf  the  freshness  and 
beauty  of  a  renewed  creation,  and  once  more 
dressed  in  her  autumnal  robes,  yet  this  single 
item  of  news,  brought  from  a  distant  ocean,  was 
the  dawn  of  a  brighter  day,  and  the  precursor  of 
higher  happiness  than  all  the  outward  world 
could  furnish !  It  chased  away  the  sorrows  of 
the  mind ;  it  breathed  new  life  into  the  spirits ; 
it  taught  the  hitherto  disconsolate  ones  that  the 
hand  of  a  delivering  God  should  now  be  recog- 
nized and  adored.  Public  sympathy  flowed  in 
the  same  channel  yrith  those  who  could  now  re- 
joice, as  it  was  heretofore  expressed  with  those 
who  wept. 

November  news  from  the  islands  confirmed 
the  report  of  the  preceding  month,  cleared  away 
every  doubt  which  distrust  might  venture  to  cre- 
ate, and  reassured  the  wife  that  her  husband  was 
safe,  and  parents  and  members  of  the  respective 
families  that  their  sons  and  brothers  had  survived 
the  untold  severities  of  an  arctic  winter.  ' 


V 


224 


THE  WHALEMAN;  OU, 


About  one  year  from  this  time, —  November 
5, 1854,  —  Captain  Norton  had  arrived  at  Lahaina, 
from  a  cruise  in  the  Ochotsk,  in  the  ship  North- 
ern light,  of  Fairhaven.  He  left;  that  port  in 
December  for  home ;  and,  after  a  passage  of  one 
hundred  and  ten  days,  the  ship  was  anchored  in 
the  harbor  of  New  Bedford,  on  the  10th  of 
April,  1855.  A  day  or  two  after,  he  reached  his 
native  place,  to  greet  relatives,  friends,  and  towns- 
men, whose  apprehensions  for  a  long  time  had 
been  that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more. 

The  results  of  his  three  and  a  half  years'  ab- 
sence from  home  are  briefly  these :  the  first  sea- 
son in  the  Arctic,  in  the  Citizen,  he  obtained  twen- 
ty-six hundred  barrels  of  oil,  which  were  wholly 
lost  when  the  ship  was  cast  away ;  seventy  barrels 
of  sperm  were  left  at  the  islands,  which  he  took 
on  his  outward-bound  passage — this  was  saved ; 
nine  months  and  eight  days  among  the  natives, 
and  taken  off  in  July;  the  second  season  on 
board  of  other  ships,  in  the  capacity  of  guest  and 
passenger;  the  third  season  in  the  Northern 
Light,  in  the  Ochotsk  Sea,  where  he  obtained 
twenty-four  hundred  barrels  of  oil. 

Thus,  in  misfortune,  there  was  still  a  good 
share  of  prosperity.  Not  only  was  one  cargo 
lost,  but  it  was  nearly  replaced  again  by  another 
in  the  ordinary  time  for  which  ships  are  fitted 
out. 


\ 


NINl  XOMTHB  IN  THE  AltCTIO. 


225 


Bat  the  greatest  and  crowning  mercy  of  all 
was,  in  returning  once  more,  with  such  good 
health,  from  so  many  dangers,  exposures,  and 
perils  which  have  attended  the  present  voyage. 

Mr.  John  W.  Norton  arrived  home  in  October, 
1855 ;  Mr.  John  P.  Fisher,  and  Mr.  Abram  Os- 
born,  Jr.,  arrived  home  in  April,  1856 ;  —  making 
the  time  since  they  sailed  from  New  Bedford, 
October,  1851,  four  years  for  the  first,  and  four 
and  a  half  years  for  the  last  two. 
15 


226 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


CHAPTER   XIII. 


The  Ooeui.  —  The  Seaman's  Home.  — Confidence  of  the  Mariner  in 
his  Ship.  —  Shipwreck.  —  Moral  and  religious  Claims  of  Seamen. 
—  The  Spirit  of  the  Age. —Interest  in  the  Mariners'  Meeting.-* 
Seaport  Places. — Sudden  Intelligence.  ^  Seamen  remembered  else- 
where. —Ships  supplied  with  Books.  — Bible  and  Tract  Societies. 
—Good  seed  sown.  ^ Field  for  UseAilness.  —The  American  Sea* 
man.  —Concert  ot  Prayer. —All  interested.  —  The  most  important 
Reform  for  Seamen. 

Whatever  pertains  to  seamen  in  their  ad- 
ventures, explorations,  privations,  and  disasters, 
never  fails  to  be  of  interest  to  all  classes  in  the 
community. 

The  ocean  is  a  vast  and  mysterious  world  in 
itself;  a  world  of  mighty  waters,  grand,  sublime ; 
an  image  of  eternity,  a  scene  of  wonders  and 
terrors,  which  no  mortal  tongue  can  adequately 
describe.  Man,  with  his  frail  bark,  borne  on  its 
ever  restless  and  heaving  bosom,  is  but  a  mere 
particle  on  the  surface  of  the  boundless  ex- 
panse. 

Those,  however,  whose  "  home  is  on  the  deep," 
inured  both  to  its  smiles  and  firowns,  are  familiar 
with  this  mode  of  life,  and  thus  become  daily 
conversant  with  its  varied  phases  around  them. 


NINE   MONTHS  IN   THE   ARCTIC. 


227 


With  a  good  ship,  firm  deck  beneath  hi  feet, 
well  manned,  plenty  of  sea  room,  the  experienced 
mariner  fears  but  little  the  rising  wind  or  the 
surging  main. 

"  A  storm  at  sea  "  which  would  appall  perhaps 
the  heart  of  a  landsman,  and  lead  him  to  aban- 
don all  hope  of  safety,  and  that  the  noble  vessel 
would  be  utterly  incapable  of  contending  with 
the  frightful  odds  against  her,  is,  to  the  seaman, 
who  looks  calmly  on  the  same  scene,  only  as  an 
ordinary  episode  in  ocean  experience;  indeed, 
in  some  respects,  a  gale  of  wind  is  far  preferable 
to  a  calm.  With  what  confidence  and  energy 
the  navigator  gives  his  orders,  and  is  quickly 
obeyed;  soon  the  faithful  ship  is  trimmed  to 
meet  the  storm ;  and  true  to  her  native  instinct, 
former  antecedents,  and  original  design,  she  parts 
the  crested  bill  )W,  and  bounds  over  the  waves  as 
a  « thing  of  life  " ! 

The  destruction  of  a  dwelling,  either  by  fire 
or  by  a  tf>rnado,  and  the  inmates  flying  firom 
threatened  death,  is  a  sad  calamity ;  and  the  oc- 
currence of  such  an  event  enlists  the  sympathies 
of  all  who  hear  of  it.  But  sadder  by  far  is  the 
wreck  of  a  ship  at  sea,  or  when  cast  away  upon 
some  remote  or  hostile  shore. 

Alas !  how  frequently  it  is  true,  that  with  the 
foundering  ship,  the  breaking  up  of  the  sailor's 


V 


228 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


home,  his  house,  his  refuge,  his  all,  upon  the 
deep,  a  number  of  the  crew,  and  sometimes  all 
on  board,  find  a  watery  grave ! 

The  sufferings  incident,  in  many  cases,  to  ship- 
wrecked mariners,  both  upon  the  sea  and  upon 
the  land,  have  furnished  the  most  affecting 
themes  of  prose  and  poetry;  and  their  recital 
uniformly  touches  an  answering  chord  in  every 
sensitive  heart. 

We  feel  that  it  is  due  to  all  classes  of  seamen, 
to  whom  we  afe  so  much  indebted  as  the  carriers 
of  the  products  of  all  climes  upon  the  world's 
great  highway,  and  by  whom  we  are  provided 
both  with  the  necessaries,  and  even  luxuries,  of 
life,  -^  it  is  due  to  them,  that  their  religious  wants 
especially,  should  claim  a  share  of  our  attention 
and  interest 

The  time  was  when  this  class  of  our  fellow- 
men  were  thought  but  little  of,  and  cared  less 
ebout,  in  so  far  as  it  concerned  their  religious 
welfare;  but  with  the  progressive  spirit  of  the 
€ige  in  which  we  now  live,  the  lover  of  his  coun- 
try, the  philanthropist  and  Christian,  cherish  a 
generous  solicitude  in  their  behalf.  During  the 
meetings  of  our  religious  anniversaries,  there  is 
no  gathering, 'perhaps,  that  awakens  more  gen- 
eral interest  than  that  pertaining  to  seamen. 
This  fact,  in  connection  with  what  is  being  done 


<  \ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


229 


in  the  cause  of  seamen,  both  at  home  and  abroad, 
is  sufficient  to  prove  that  there  is  a  growing,  and, 
we  trust,  an  increasing  desire  to  promote  the  re- 
ligious good  of  the  sons  of  the  ocean. 

In  seaport  places,  it  would  be  natural  to  sup- 
pose that  both  the  temporal  ant[  spiritual  wel- 
fare of  seamen  would  occupy  a  prominent  place 
in  the  minds  of  the  people  generally.  This  is  to 
some  extent  true.  In  such  localities,  especially, 
one  discovers  that  the  trains  cf  thought,  general 
conversation,  domestic  arrangements,  family  anx* 
ieties,  prospects  for  yearo  to  come,  all,  or  nearly 
all,  are  shaped  and  controlled  by  the  leading  idea 
of  "  business  in  great  waters," 

This  presiding  spirit,  as  it  may  be  justly  termed, 
pervades  every  department  of  life.  We  meet  it 
at  every  turn,  and  are  reminded,  wherever  we  go, 
that  we  live  in  a  seafaring  community.  We  find 
this  fact  verified  in  public  resorts  for  trade,  in  the 
family  circle,  in  the  prayer  and  conference  meet* 
ing,  in  the  sanetuary,  in  the  chamber  of  sickness, 
in  the  house  of  mourning,  and  we  read  the  me- 
morials of  it  upon  the  tombstone  in  the  silent 
repositcMies  of  the  dead. 

There  is  another  feature  to  a  seaport  place, 
and  especially  to  a  whaUng  communily,  which  it 
would  be  proper  just  to  mention,  and  that  is,  the 
suddenness  with  which  sad  intelUgeoco   from 


•rtifAmrm 


230 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OB, 


absent  friends  falls  upon  the  ears  of  those  at 
home. 

Many  have  had  painful  experience  in  these 
particulars.  Wives,  parents,  and  relatives  have 
been  as  suddenly  reminded  of  the  decease  of 
those  near  and  dear  to  them,  as  would  be  the 
change  of  noonday  into  the  darkness  of  mid- 
night. 

How  many  hearts  have  been  made  to  bleed  in 
anguish!  how  many  earthly  prospects,  hitherto 
bright,  have  suddenly  become  shaded  and  over- 
cast at  such  an  announcement!  Indeed,  they 
shortly  expected  to  hear  that  those  abroad  were 
in  health  and  prosperity;  or  soon  to  embrace 
them  on  the  homeward  arrival  of  the  ship ;  but 
alas !  some  mysterious  contingency  in  providence 
supervened,  and  terminated  their  earthly  voyage. 

Broad  oceans,  remote  seas,  distant  islands,  and 
foreign  ports  are  consecrated  to  the  memory  of 
seamen,  as  their  last  resting  places  on  earth.  In- 
deed, such  localities  are  of  impressive  and  affect- 
ing significance,  illustrating  at  once  both  the  na- 
ture of  the  employment  and  daring  adventures 
of  whalemen.  But  interest  for  the  sailor  may 
not  be  wholly  confined  to  seaport  places.  Nor 
is  it.  Wherever  intelligence  reaches,  or  the  pub- 
lic print  finds  its  way  through  the  various  avenues 
of  society,  or  wherever  works  pertaining  to  sea- 


NINE   MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


281 


men  are  scattered  abroad,  even  to  the  farthest 
limits  of  civilization,  there  the  sailor  will  be  re- 
membered, and  the  recorded  experience  of  his 
ocean  life  will  be  read  again  and  again  with 
thrilling  emotions.  But  this  is  not  all.  There 
are  hundreds  of  young  men,  from  inland  country 
towns,  and  from  every  part  of  the  United  States, 
whose  home  is  now  on  the  ocean  wave,  and  ex- 
posed to  the  dangers  and  perils  of  the  deep.  It 
is,  therefore,  reasonable  to  suppose,  that  many  a 
father's  and  mother's  heart  follows  in  affection, 
hope,  and  imagination,  the  absent  son  upon  the 
unknown  waste  of  waters,  or  into  distant  lands ; 
or  the  wife,  anxiously  looking  for  favorable  intel- 
ligence, offers  daily  prayer  for  the  successful  and 
speedy  return  of  her  husband.  Thus,  in  these 
respects,  those  living  in  the  country  share  in  a 
mutual  sympathy  with  those  on  the  seaboard. 

In  those  places,  especially,  where  large  num- 
bers of  seamen  usually  congregate.  Bethel  ser- 
vices on  the  Sabbath  are  means  of  securing  to 
them  a  great  amount  o.  moral  and  religious  in- 
struction. Besides,  colporteur  seamen  become 
an  efficient  instrumentality  in  directing  many  a 
weather-beaten  mariner  to  the  house  of  God,  and 
to  the  Saviour  of  sinners. 

When  whale  ships  are  about  to  leave  c 


port 


for  a  cruise  of  two,  three,  or  four  years,  it  is  the 


232 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;  OR, 


purpose  of  the  friends  of  seamen  connected  with 
the  several  religious  denominations  in  seaport 
towns,  to  place  on  board  bf  such  vessels  copies 
of  the  .Word  of  God,  moral  and  religious  books, 
the  Family  Library,  tracts,  &c.  We  believe  this 
is  the  usual  practice  in  other  whaling  ports ;  *  but 
to  what  extent  this  arrangement  is  generally  car- 
ried out  we  are  unable  to  say. 

We  acknowledge  with  gratitude  the  repeated 
donations  of  Bibles  and  Testaments  both  £rom 
the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and 
the  American  Bible  Society,  for  gratuitous  dis- 
tribution among  the  sons  of  the  ocean.  Nor 
would  we  forget  to  mention  our  obligations  to 
the  American  Tract  Society  for  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands  of  pages  of  tracts,  generously 
given  to  be  placed  on  shipboard  or  put  ioto  the 
hands  of  seamen.  We  believe  that  the  good 
seed  of  divine  truth,  thus  sown  broadcast  from 
year  to  year,  will  not  wholly  fall  on  unpropitious 
soiL  We  are  encouraged  and  strengthened  in 
this  benevolent  work  by  the  express  and  signifi- 
cant promises  of  inspiration :  ^'  Cast  thy  bread 
upon  the  waters,  for  thou  shalt  find  it  after  many 
days;"  and,  again,  "  Sow  beside  all  waters." 

More,  however,  should  and  ought  to  be  done 

V 

•  See  the  Report  of  the  New  Bedford  Port  Society  for  1867. 


'  \ 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


233 


for  seamen.  The  benevolent  and  the  religious, 
if  so  disposed,  may  find  here  an  ample  field  for 
the  exercise  of  their  liberality.  While  something 
is  being  done  for  seamen  with  reference  to  their 
moral  and  spiritual  improvement,  yet,  when  we 
take  into  consideration  the  scores  of  thousands 
that  yearly  leave  seaport  place^j  in  our  country, 
the  thousands  that  are  now  traversing  seas  and 
oceans  both  near  and  remote,  and  visiting  almost 
every  part  of  the  earth's  surface,  how  limited  are 
the  means  employed  in  behalf  of  their  religious 
welfare,  that  Christ  may  become  the  pole  star  of 
hope  to  the  wandering  and  tempest-tossed ! 

The  American  seaman,  in  a  certain  sense,  is 
our  representative  abroad;  and,  wherever  the  stars 
and  stripes  are  given  to  the  wind  and  fiy  from 
the  mast  head,  there  he  leaves  the  impress  of  his 
influence.  How  important  it  is,  then,  as  he  de- 
parts from  the  land  of  his  birth  and  from  the 
scenes  of  his  early  associations,  and  goes  out 
upon  the  ocean  to  meet  its  dangers  and  perils, 
as  he  is  assailed  by  temptations,  or  mingles  with 
foreigners  in  other  ports,  how  immensely  impor- 
tant it  is,  that  he  should  be  a  true  representative 
of  Christian  institutions  and  principles  at  home, 
and  bear  about  in  his  own  bosom,  amid  the 
vicissitudes  of  ocean  life,  the  "witness  of  the 
Spirit"  as  his  true  and  lasting  treasure! 


234 


THE  WHALEMAN  ;   OR, 


It  is  trae,  there  are  religious  captains,  officers, 
and  seamen;  but  what  we  earnestly  desire  is, 
that  the  number  may  be  increased  a  thousand 
fold.  Under  the  benign  influence  of  the  spirit 
of  religion  and  the  fear  of  God,  neither  Sabbath 
breaking,  nor  profane  language,  nor  vice,  nor 
disorder,  nor  cruelty,  nor  mutiny  would  find  a 
place  on  shipboard.  "  Thus  officered,  manned, 
and  conducted,  does  any  man  who  believes  there 
is  a  God,  who  rules  the  winds  and  waves  and  the 
monsters  of  the  deep,  doubt  the  success  of  such 
a  ship  ?  "    By  no  means. 

There  is  another  instrumentality  fitted  to  pro- 
mote the  religious  interests  of  seamen,  which  we 
would  not  fail  to  mention,  and  that  is,  the  con- 
cert of  prayer.  We  are  taught  to  "  pray  for  aU 
men ; "  therefore  seamen  may  be  included  in  the 
devout  supplications  of  the  people  of  God  —  not 
only  that  they  may  be  mercifully  shielded  in  the 
hour  of  danger,  and  meet  with  success  in  all  law- 
ful undertakings,  but  that  spiritual  blessings  in 
Christ  Jesus  may  be  their  enduring  portion. 

The  concert  of  prayer  for  seamen  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  and  profitable  meetings  held 
in  a  seaport  place,  and  which  the  month  brings 
around. 

In  such  a  gathering  all  are  interested.  Some 
of  the  members  of  congregations  and  churches 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THB  ARCTIC. 


236 


are  upon  tlie  ocean,  and  have  been  gone  for 
months  and  years ;  others,  perhaps,  have  just  left 
for  long  voyages,  and  others  still  on  their  home- 
ward-bound passages.  At  such  a  meeting  as 
ihis,  the  absent  ones  are  brought  vividly  before 
the  mind.  The  bare  mention  of  the  words  hus- 
band, son,  brother,  endeared  friend,  finds  at  once 
a  response  in  many  hearts.  It  is,  therefore,  alike 
the  dictate  of  nature  as  well  as  the  great  law  of 
grace  to  look  to  Him  ^<  whose  way  is  in  the  sea, 
and  whose  path  is  in  the  great  waters,"  that  he 
would  be  with  the  mariner  in  the  storm  and 
tempest,  and  at  the  appointed  time  return  him 
to  his  native  port  and  to  the  bosom  of  his 
family. 

Temperance  and  other  reforms  have  wrought, 
and  still  are  working,  gradual  and  essential 
changes  and  improvements  among  all  classes  of 
seamen ;  but  the  most  important,  and  that  which 
stands  higher  than  all  others,  is,  that  those  who 
behold  the  wonders  of  God  in  the  deep  may 
become  the  friends  and  followers  of  the  Sa- 
viour. 

The  following  hymn,  which,  with  others  of 
like  character,  is  frequently  sung,  shows  at  oner 
the  sentiments  and  spirit  of  the  seamen's  conceft 
of  prayer. 


^^•£u- 


286  THE  WHALEMAN;  OB, 

O,  pray  for  the  sailor,  now  far  on  the  billow ; 

O,  think  of  hi«  hardships,  temptations,  and  pain. 
His  home  is  the  ocean ;  his  hammock  hi*)  pillow ; 

He  toils  for  our  pleasure ;  his  loss  is  our  gain. 

While  we  are  securely  and  peacefiilly  sleeping, 
He  stands  at  the  helm  and  his  duty  performs ; 

Now  walking  the  deck  and  his  painful  watch  keeping, 
Or  sits  at  the  mast  head  'mid  perils  and  storms. 

O,  pray  for  the  sailor,  to  benishment  driven. 
Enduring  privation,  oppression,  and  care,  — 

Shut  out  from  the  gospel,  a  stranger  to  Heaven, 
The  victim  to  vice  and  a  prey  to  despair. 

And,  while  we  thus  pray  for  the  sons  of  the  ocean, 
A  kind,  peaceflil  Home  to  him  must  be  given ; 

The  Mariners'  Bethel  allures  to  devotion ; 
The  Bible  and  preacher  direct  him  to  Heaven. 


Seamen,  of  all  classes,  you  are  remembered  by 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands,  throughout 
the  land  and  world,  who  are  deeply  interested  in 
your  welfare!  Day  and  night  you  are  thought 
of  and  prayed  for  by  those  whom  you  have  left 
behind;  and  many  a  desire  is  breathed  out  in 
the  presence  of  Him  who  alone  can  save,  that 
you  may  be  protected  in  your  absence,  shielded 
from  temptations,  and  returned  again  to  your 
friends. 

May  the  *<  Star  of  Bethlehem,  which  alone  c^n 


NINE  MONTHS  IN  THE  ARCTIC. 


237 


'^  iSx  the  sinner's  wandering  eye,*'  guide  many  a 
son  of  the  ocean,  and  lead  him  to  say,  — 


It  was  my  gtiide,  my  light,  my  all ; 

It  bade  my  dark  forebodings  cease ; 
And,  through  the  storm  and  danger's  thrall» 

It  led  me  to  the  port  of  peace. 

Now,  safely  moored,  my  perils  o'er, 
I'll  sing,  first  in  night's  diadem. 

Forever,  and  forevermore. 
The  Star  —  tlxe  Star  of  Bethlehem  i 


s 

o 
a 

CD 

OD 

> 
H 

O 

o 

i 

H 

s 


A  BRIEF 


HISTORY  OF  WHALING, 


WITH  SOME  OF  ITS  INTERESTING  DETAILS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Wbale  Fiaheiy.— It«  Origin.— VV]iere  flnt  ctRied  on.  — By  whom.— 
Whaling  in  the  Northern  Ocean  by  the  Dutch  and  Engliah.— Contentioiw 
between  them. — The  Succesi  of  the  Dutch.  —  Ita  Commencement  in  New 
England.  —  "  London  Doeumenta."—  The  flrat  Whale  Scene  in  Nantucket. 
—  Boat  Whaling.— The  Number  of  Wbalea  taken  in  one  Day.— The 
flnt  Spermaceti  Whale.— The  Interest  it  excited.- Ita  auppoeed  Value. 
—The  first  Sperm  Whale  captured.— New  Life  to  the  Buainees.  —  Whal- 
ing In  Massachusetts  in  1771-75.— Burke's  Eulogy  on  New  England 
Whalen.  —  Sperm  Whaling  in  Great  Britain. — Revived  in  France. — The 
American  snd  French  Revolutions  nearly  destroyed  the  Business. — Lose 
to  Nantucket.  —  Its  Commencement  in  New  Bedford.  —  Tabular  View  of 
the  Number  of  Vesi!9ls  engaged  in  Whaling,  and  Places  to  which  thcgr 
belong. 

**  No  species  of  fishery,  pros<;cuted  any  where  on  the  surface 
of  the  ocean,  can  compare  in  intensity  of  interest  with  the 
whale  fishery.  The  magnitude  of  the  object  of  the  chase,  and 
the  perilous  character  of  the  seas  which  it  frequents  in  all  cli- 
mates and  latitudes,  are  features  which  prominently  distin- 
guish the  whale  fishery  from  all  similar  pursuits,  and  which 
invest  the  details  of  its  history  with  the  strong  charm  insepa- 
rable from  pictures  and  verities  of  stirring  exertion,  privationt 
16  (2«) 


i-tj)iimttmmiaiitiiiki»ti>^^ 


.atA>1»iiWi.-JBatfJ»<faA^fcttMk»i^-:.-.j.'.--M*tf... 


V 


242 


BISTORT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


adventure,  daring,  and  danger."  In  a  word,  it  is  fishery  upon 
a  gigantic  scale,  in  which  romance  and  reality  are  strangely 
blended. 

**  The  whale  fishery  is  a  practice  of  long  standing  in  the 
world.  It  is  supposed  that  the  Norwegians  b^an  to  prosecute 
this  hazardous  and  arduous  enterprise  as  early  as  the  closing 
part  of  the  ninth  century.  From  rather  vague  statements,  on 
this  subject,  which  have  come  down  to  us  it  would  seem  that 
they  confined  themselves  to  the  capturing  of  a  few  whales  in 
their  bays  and  harbors. 

**  The  shores  of  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  where  the  Normans  formed 
early  settlements,  became  famous  through  them  for  the  whale 
fishery  there  carried  on.  In  the  same  region,  it  was  first  made 
a  regular  commercial  pursuit ;  and  as  the  whales  visited  the 
bay  in  large  numbers,  the  traffic  was  convenient  and  easy. 

"  The  Biscayans  maintained  it  with  great  vigor  and  success 
in  the  twelfth,  thirteenth,  and  fourteenth  centuries. 

«•  "We  find  from  a  work  of  Noel,  'TTpon  the  Antiqtiity  of 
Whale  Fishing,'  that,  in  1261,  a  tithe  was  laid  upon  the  tonguea 
of  whales  imported  into  Bayonne,  they  being  then  a  highly 
esteemed  species  of  food.  In  1338,  Edward  III.  relinquished 
to  Peter  de  Fuyanne  a  duty  of  six  poimds  sterling  laid  on 
each  whale  brought  into  the  port  of  Biarritz,  to  indemnify  him 
for  the  extraordinary  expenses  he  had  incurred  in  fitting  out 
a  fieet  for  the  service  of  his  |D,ajesty. 

•«  The  Biscayans,  however,  soon  gave  up  the  whale  fishery 
for  the  want  of  fish,  which  ceased  to  come  southward,  no 
longer  leaving  the  icy  seas. 

"  In  process  of  time,  voyages  both  of  the  Dutch  and  English 
were  imdertaken  to  discover  a  passage  through  the  Northern 
Ocean  to  India ;  and  though  they  entirely  failed  in  their  pri- 
mary object,  yet  they  laid  open  the  remote  haunts  of  the 
whale,  and  immediately  began  to  prosecute  the  enterprise  of 
their  capture.  Even  then,  it  was  said,  they  employed  the  Bis- 
cayans as  their  harpooners,  and  for  a  considerable  part  of  their 


BISTORT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING.        243 

erew.  The  Dutch  and  English  priosecuted  the  business  with 
varied  success,  each  claiming  the  ground  for  whale  fishery  in 
the  seas  around  Spitzbergen.  Large  companies  were  formed, 
and  many  ship6  were  sent  to  those  northern  regions,  each 
armed  and  prepared  to  maintain  his  right  and  supremacy  over 
the  seas.  Thus  one  party  woidd  obtain  a  charter  from  its  own 
government,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  other  and  all  others  —  at 
the  same  time,  each  claiming  the  prior  right  of  possession  by 
discovery. 

<*  At  length,  in  1616,  a  general  engagement  took  place,  in 
which  the  English  were  defeated.  Hitherto  the  two  govern- 
ments had  allowed  the  fishing  ad  venturers  and  companies  to 
fight  out  their  own  battles ;  but  in  consequence  of  this  event, 
it  was  considered  prudent  by  each  party  to  divide  the  Spitz- 
bergen bay  and  seas  into  fishing  stations,  where  the  companies 
might  fish  and  not  trouble  each  other. 

«  After  this  period,  the  Dutch  quickly  gained  a  superiority 
over  their  rivals.  While  the  English  prosecuted  the  trade 
sluggishly  and  with  incompetent  means,  the  Dutch  turned 
their  fisheries  to  great  account,  and,  in  1680,  had  about  two 
himdred  and  sixty  ehips  and  fourteen  thousand  seamen  em- 
ployed in  them."  ♦ 

«•  From  the  year  1660,  or  forty  years  after  the  landing  of 
our  pilgrim  fathers  on  the  shores  of  New  England,  down  to 
the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century,  there  seem  to  have  been 
varioiis,  and,  as  far  as  now  can  be  ascertained,  nearly  simulta- 
neous and  independent  attempts  to  prosecute  this  business  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Cape  Cod,  those  of  Nantucket  and  Martha's 
Yincyard,  and  some  of  the  British  subjects  in  the  bays  around 
the  Bermuda  Islands." 

The  following  interesting  facts  respecting  the  early  history 
of  whal^iig  in  this  country  were  obtained  from  manuscripts  in 
t^c  New  York  State  Library,  by  R.  L.  Pease,  Esq.,  of  Edgar- 
town.    They  were  copied  from  the  originals  in  London,  by 


*  Chambers. 


?ai«<i<iiriiwifirtii»iM-«.*Maiarti»i,4.^ 


'ii.-mAtjHimAti4iiuAw>'-.  t  ^-  ^^u^. ,- 


v , 


244        HISTOBT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


// 


Mr.  Brodhead,  under  the  authority  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  called  «  London  Documents." 

Vol.  iv.  pp.  9-12.  Li  the  instructions  of  the  Duke  of  York 
to  his  agent,  John  Lewen,  he  is  directed  to  **  inquire  what 
number  of  whales  have  been  killed  near  ye  place  within  six 
years  last  past,  and  what  quantities  of  whale  bone  and  oyle 
have  been  made  or  brought  in  there,  and  how  much  my  share 
hath  amounted  to  in  that  time.  .  .  .  And  you  are  also  to 
informe  yoiirself  how  many  whales  are  taken  and  brought  in 
there,  commibus  annis.    Given  May  24th,  1680." 

Ibid.  p.  71.  In  his  answer,  Lewen  says  « that  the  number 
of  whales  killed  is  never  observed  by  any  person,  noz  the  oil 
or  bone." 

Ibid.  p.  84.  General  Andros,  on  this  point,  states,  Decem- 
ber 31, 1681,  that  <*  very  few  whales  have  been  driven  on  ashore 
but  what  have  been  killed  and  claymed  by  the  whalers ;  and, 
if  not  proved  theirs,  then  claymed  by  the  Indian  natives,  or 
Christians  clayming  the  shores  in  said  Indian's  right.  And 
tho  I  have  not  been  wanting  in  my  endeavors,  I  never  could 
recover  any  part  thereof  for  his  Royal  Highness." 

Vol.  ii.  p.  277.  **  On  ye  east  of  Long  Island  there  were  12 
or  13  whales  taken  before  ye  end  of  March,  and  what  since  wee 
heare  not ;  here  are  some  dayly  seen  in  the  very  harbom*,  some- 
times within  Nutt  Island.  Out  of  the  pinnace,  the  other  week, 
they  struck  two,  but  lost  both ;  the  irons  broke  in  one,  the 
other  broke  the  warpe.  Samuel  Mavebick. 

July  6,  1669." 

*<  The  first  whaling  expedition  from  Nantucket  was  imder- 
taken  by  some  of  the  original  purchasers  of  the  island,  the  cir- 
cumstances of  which  are  handed  down  to  us  by  tradition,  and 
are  as  follows :  A  whale  of  the  kind  called  the  <  scragg '  came 
into  the  harbor,  and  continued  there  three  days.  This  excited 
the  curiosity  of  the  people,  and  led  them  to  devise  measures  to 
prevent  his  return  out  of  the  harbor.  They  accordingly  in- 
vented, and  caused  to  be  wrought  for  them,  a  harpoon,  with 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING.        246 


which  they  attacked  and  killed  the  whale.  This  first  success 
encoxiraged  them  to  undertake  whaling  as  r  permanent  busi- 
ness, whales  being  at  that  time  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  shores.  ' 

Finding,  however,  that  the  people  of  Cape  Cod  had  made 
greater  proficiency  in  the  art  of  whale  catching  than  them- 
selves, the  inhabitants,  in  1690,  sent  thither  and  employed  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Ichabod  Paddock  to  instruct  them  in  the 
best  manner  of  killing  whales  and  extracting  their  oil. 

The  pursuit  of  whales  was  commenced  in  boats,  and  was  car- 
ried on  from  year  to  year  until  it  became  a  principal  branch 
of  business  to  the  islanders.  The  Indians  readily  joined  the 
whites  in  this  new  enterprise ;  and  the  most  active  among  them 
soon  became  boat  steerers  and  experienced  whalemen,  and  were 
capable  of  conducting  any  part  of  the  business. 

Boat  whaling  from  the  shore  continued  until  about  the  year 
1760,  when  the  whalee  became  so  scarce  that  it  was  wholly  laid 
aside. 

The  greatest  number  of  whales  ever  killed  and  brought  to 
the  shore  in  one  day  was  eleven.  In  1726,  they  were  very 
plenty  ;  forty- six  were  taken  during  that  year  —  a  greater 
number  than  ever  was  obtained  in  one  year  either  before  or 
since  this  date. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that,  notwithstanding  the  people  had 
to  learn  the  business  and  carry  it  on  under  many  hazardous 
circumstances,  yet  not  a  single  white  person  was  known  to  be 
killed  or  drowned  in  the  pursuit  of  whales  in  the  course  of 
seventy  years  preceding  1760.  The  whales  hitherto  caught 
near  the  shores  in  boats  were  of  the  *  right '  species. 

The  first  spermaceti  whale  known  to  the  inhabitants  was 
found  dead  and  ashore  on  the  west  end  of  the  island.  It 
caused  great  excitement —  some  demanding  a  part  of  the  prize 
under  one  pretence  and  some  under  another,  and  all  were  anx- 
ious to  behold  so  strange  an  animal. 

The  natives  claimed  the  whole  because  they  foimd  it ;  the 


^•i«imiamiiat-t^a»»ji»isiti»<Mm»iMi,aiiit. 


N   1 


246        BISTORT  iND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


whites,  to  whom  the  natives  made  known  the  discovery, 
claimed  it  by  a  right  comprehended,  as  they  affirmed,  in  the 
purchase  of  the  island  by  the  original  patent.  An  officer  of 
the  crown  made  his  claim  to  it,  and  pretended  to  seize  the  fish 
in  the  name  of  his  majesty,  as  being  property  without  any  par- 
ticular ov/ner. 

After  considerable  discuwion  between  the  contending  par- 
ties, it  -woe  finally  settled  that  the  white  inhabitants  who  first 
found  the  whale  sho'old  share  i^he  prize  equally  among  them- 
selves. 

The  teeth,  however,  which  were  considered  very  valuable, 
had  been  extracted  by  a  wliite  man  and  an  Indian  before  any 
others  had  any  knowledge  of  the  whale. 

All  difficulty  having  been  settled,  a  company  was  then 
formed  that  commenced  cutting  the  whale  in  pieces  convenient 
lot  transportation  to  the  try  works.  The  sperm  procured  from 
the  head  was  thought  to  be  of  great  value  for  medicinal  ptur- 
poses.  It  was  used  both  as  an  internal  and  external  applica- 
tion ;  and  such  was  the  credulity  of  the  people  that  they  con- 
sidered it  a  certain  cure  for  all  diseases ;  it  was  sought  with 
avidity,  and  for  a  while  was  esteemed  to  be  worth  its  weight 
in  silver." 

•«  The  first  spram  whale  taken  by  the  Nantucket  whalers  was 
killed  by  Christopher  Hussey.  He  was  cruising  near  the  shore 
for  <  right '  whales,  and  was  blown  off  some  distance  from  the 
land  by  a  strong  northerly  wind,  when  he  fell  in  with  a  school 
of  that  species  of  whale,  and  killed  one,  and  brought  it  home. 

<•  At  what  date  this  adventure  took  place  is  not  fully  ascer- 
tained, b  It  it  is  supposed  that  it  was  not  far  from  1712.  This 
event  imparted  new  life  to  the  business,  for  they  immediately 
began  to  build  vessels,  of  about  forty  tons,  to  whale  out  in  the 
*  deep,'  as  it  was  then  called,  to  distinguish  it  from  *  shore 
whaling.'  They  fitted  three  vessels  for  six  weeks,  carried  a 
few  hogsheads,  sufficient  to  contain  the  blubber  of  one  whalc^ 
and  tried  out  the  oil  after  they  returned  home. 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


247 


'<  In  171d>  there  were  six  vessels  engaged  iu  the  whaling 
business,  (all  sloops,  from  thirty  to  forty  tons  burden  each,)  and 
which  produced  an  income  of  nearly  five  thousand  dollars."  • 

As  the  enterprise  increased,  more  capital  was  invested,  larger 
vessels  were  built,  longer  voyages  were  undertaken,  and  new 
localities  or  grotmds  for  whales  were  discovered.., 

Fifty  years  later,  —  viz.,  from  1771  to  177^| ^Massachusetts 
alone  employed  annually  one  hiindrcd  and  eigl^yrthrec  vessels 
in  the  North  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  vessels  of  larger  burden  in  the  South  Atlantic  Ocean. 

"  Look  at  the  manner,"  says  Burke,  (1774,)  "  in  which  the 
New  England  people  carry  on  the  whale  fishery.  "While  we 
follow  them  among  the  tumbling  mountains  of  ice,  and  behold 
them  penetrating  into  the  deepest  frozen  recesses  of  Hudson's 
Bay  and  Davis's  Straits ;  while  we  are  looking  for  them  be- 
neath the  arctic  circle,  we  hear  that  they  have  pierced  into  the 
opposite  region  of  polar  cold  —  that  they  are  at  the  antipodes, 
and  engaged  under  the  frozen  serpent  of  the  south.  Falkland 
Island,  which  seems  too  remote  and  too  romantic  an  object  for  the 
grasp  of  national  ambition,  is  but  a  stage  and  resting  place  to 
their  victorious  industry.  Nor  is  the  equinoctial  heat  more 
discouraging  to  them  than  the  accumulated  winter  of  both  the 
poles.  We  learn  that,  while  some  draw  the  line  and  strike 
the  harpoon  on  the  coast  of  AMca,  others  run  the  longitude^ 
and  pursue  their  gigantic  game,  along  the  coast  of  Brazil.'* 

Such  was  the  eloquent' commendation  given  to  the  energy 
and  perseverance  of  New  England  whalers  by  one  of  the  moet 
distinguished  of  British  statesmen. 

«  The  first  attempt  to  establish  the  sperm  whale  fishery  from 
Great  Britain  was  made  in  1775.  Nine  years  later,  the  French 
undertook  to  revive  the  prosecution  of  this  business.  The 
king,  Louis  XYL,  fitted  out  six  ships  himself  from  Dimkirk, 
and  procxured  his  eAperienced  harpooners  from  Nantucket; 


'''  Macy'8  History  of  Nantucket 


^  * 


i  , 


248 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


others  emulated  the  example  of  that  monarch ;  so  that,  before 
the  French  revolution,  that  nation  had  forty  ships  in  the 
iervice. 

'*  The  revolutionary  vrar  of  the  American  colonies,  and  the 
wars  of  the  French  revolution,  nearly  destroyed  this  flourish- 
ing branch  of  marine  enterprise  in  both  countries.  Just  pre- 
vious to  the  war,  Massachusetts  employed  in  this  service  three 
himdred  vessels  and  four  thousand  seamrai,  about  half  of  whom 
were  from  Nantucket  alone.  During  that  war,  fifteen  vessels 
belonging  to  this  island  were  lost  at  sea,  and  one  hundred  and 
thirty-four  were  captured  by  the  enemy.  The  loss  of  life  in 
prison  ships  and  elsewhere,  and  the  immense  loss  of  property, 
show  that  Nantucket  paid  as  dearly  in  the  struggle  for  liberty 
as  any  portion  of  our  country. 

*'  It  was  not  imtil  the  year  1792,  many  years  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  enterprise  in  Nantucket,  Cape  Cod,  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard,  and  other  places  on  the  sound,  that  the  atten- 
tion of  the  people  of  New  Bedford  was  turned  towards  the 
whale  fishery."  • 

From  this  date  until  the  present  time,  no  permanent  ob- 
struction, with  the  exception  of  the  war  of  1812-1815,  has 
occurred  to  impede  the  gradual  and  increasing  interest  given 
to  this  enterprise,  and  which  now  assumes  commanding  com- 
mercial importance^  and  develops  tmrivaled  energy  in  its 
prosecution. 

The  number  of  vessels  in  this  country  employed  in  the  whale 
fishery  far  exceeds  that  of  all  others  engaged  in  the  same 
pursuit. 

The  following  tabular  view  will  present  to  the  reader  the 
number  and  class  of  vessels  engaged  in  the  wiiaie  fishery, 
belonging  to  their  respective  places  in  the  United  States,  as 
reported  in  the  "  Whaleman's  Shipping  List  and  Merchant's 
Transcript''  for  October,  1866  :  — 


.^t*"'^ 


/^ 


*  Gbristian  Review,  vol.  xii. 


BISTORT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


249 


Flaou. 

New  Bedford .. 
Dartmouth.... 

Bippican 

Westport 

Wareham 

Sandwich 

Fairhaven 

Mattapoisett... 

Nantucket 

Edgartown . . . . 
Holmee's  Hole. 

Falmouth 

Frovincetown  . 
Orleans ....... 

Beverly 

Balem......... 

Lynn 

Fall  River 

Warren,  R.  I... 

Newport 

Providence . . . . 
New  London . . 
Stonington . . . . 

Oreenport 

Mystic 

Sas  Harbor. . . . 
Cold  Spring . . . 
San  Francisco. 


Shlpi. 

Bwki. 

Brigt. 

Boh'n. 

Totid. 

S09* 

138* 

337 

4 

6 
17 

3 

10 

3 

17 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

36 

13 

1 

49 

1 

10 

1 

13 

as 

4 

1 

3 

39 

10 

4 

3 

17 

3 

1 

1 

1 

5 

9 

1 

3 

1 

4 

1 

16 

33 

1 

3 

1 

4 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

3 

3 

5 

10 
4 

15 
4 

1 

1 

32 

14 

5 

13 

63 

3 

3 

6 

3 

7 

10 

4 

3 

6 

5 

9 

3 

3 

18 

3 

3 

5 

4 

1 

4 

4 

13 

Tonn. 

133,000 

3,698 

319 

3,989 

347 

393 

15,937 

3,381 

13,860 

4,986 

1,349 

1,111 

3,793 

638 

616 

393 

316 

814 

5,035. 

1,906 

998 

19,176 

1,949 

3,958 

1,810 

5,253 

2,129 

2,500 


The  whole  number  of  vessels  employed  in  the  whale 

fishery  in  this  country,  as  before  reported,  is        .        .        670 

Number  of  ships, 358 

Number  of  barks,  .        .        .        i        .        •        209 

Number  of  brigs  . 17 

Number  of  schooners        ......         4(* 

The  tonnage  may  be  put  down  at  220,000. 
Value  of  property,  at  $100  per  ton,  $20,000,000. 
Theniunber  of  seamen  engaged  in  this  business,  allowing 

30  for  each  ship,  24  for  a  bark,  20  for  a  brig,  and  18  for  a 

schooner,  would  be  more  than  20,000. 
Importations  of  sperm  and  whale  oil  and  whalebone  into  the 

United  States  in  1866  are  as  follows :  — 


*  Ships  reckoned  at  400  tons,  and  barks  at  300. 


;250 


HISTOBT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALIaO. 


Sporm  oil*   • 
Bight  whale  oil, 
Whalebone, 


80,941  bbli. 
107,890  bbli. 
2,692,700  Ibi. 


CHAPTER  II. 

The.Whale.-~  Its  Zoitlogy.— The  largest  knoxn  Animal.— Sperm  Whale. 
— Right  Whale.  —  Finback. — Bowhead. 

The  Whale  is  the  general  name  of  an  order  of  animals  in- 
habiting the  ocean,  arranged  in  zoology  under  the  name  of 
Cete,  or  Cetacte,  and  belonging  to  the  class  Mammalia  in  the 
Lmnsean  system.  This  animal  is  named  whale  £rom  round- 
ness, or  from  rolling. 

«  While  living  in  part  or  wholly  in  the  ocean,  it  diifers  in 
many  important  respects  from  the  fish  tribes,  and  it  is  these 
peculiarities  which  render  it  a  link  between  the  creature  of 
the  land  and  of  the  sea.  While  it  has  the  power  of  locomo- 
tion in  the  water,  like  other  fish'es,  yet  in  other  particulars  it 
has  no  affinity  with  them ;  it  is  as  much  a  mammal  as  the 
ox,  or  the  elephant,  or  the  horse  —  having  warm  blood,  breath- 
ing air,  bringing  forth  living  young,  and  suckling  them  with 
true  milk." 

The  whale  is  the  largest  of  all  known  animals.  Some  re- 
marks upon  the  whale  and  its  varieties  will  form  the  subject 
of  the  present  chapter. 

1.  The  Sperm  Whale.  The  Cachalot,  or  Physeter  Macro- 
cephalua.  The  principal  species  are  the  black-headed,  with  a 
dorsal  fin.,  an.J,  the  round-headed,  without  a  fin  on  the  back,  and 
with  fistiUa  in  the  snout.  This  whale  is  known  at  a  distance  by 
the  peculiarity  of  his  «spoutings"  or  <*  blows."  He  cab  be 
easily  detected  by  whalemen,  if  he  happens  to  be  in  company 


HISTORT  AND   DETAILS  OF  WHALING.        251 


with  other  species  of  whales.  He  blows  the  water  or  vapor 
from  his  nostrils  in  a  single  column,  to  the  height,  perhaps,  of 
twelve  feet,  inclining  in  a  forward  direction  in  an  angle  of 
forty-five  degrees  with  the  horizon,  and  visible  for  several 
miles.  There  is  also  a  wonderful  regularity  as  to  time  in  which 
he  *<  blows"  —  perhaps  once  in  ten  minutes.  lie  remains  on 
the  surface  of  the  water  from  forty-five  to  sixty  minutes,  and 
tmder  water  about  the  same  time.  Unless  the  whale  is  fright- 
ened, whalemen  make  quite  correct  calculation  as  to  the 
chances  of  overtaking  him,  or  meeting  him,  or  when  he  will 
rise  to  the  surface  after  he  has  "  tiirned  flukes." 

When  the  sperm  whale  is  near,  he  can  be  easily  distinguished 
by  the  form  of  his  head,  unlike  any  other  variety  of  whale. 
Its  head  is  enormous  in  bulk,  being  fully  more  than  one  third 
of  the  whole  length  of  its  body ;  and  it  ends  like  an  abrupt 
and  steep  promontory,  and  is  so  hard  for  several  feet  from  its 
front  that  it  is  quite  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  for  an  iron  to 
enter  it  —  as  impervious,  indeed,  to  a  harpoon  as  a  bale  of 
cotton. 

Besides,  the  sperm  whale  has  a  htmip  on  his  back,  which 
distinguishes  him  from  others.  This  hump  is  farther  forward 
than  the  fin  on  the  finback  whale. 

Sperm  whales  have  been  captured  from  seventy  to  ninety 
feet  in  length,  and  from  thirty  to  forty-five  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence round  the  largest  part  of  their  bodies.  It  is  supposed  by 
whalemen,  from  their  appearance,  that  they  live,  or  some  of 
them  at  least,  to  a  great  age.  One  writer  on  this  subject 
thought  that  the  sperm  whale  would  attain  the  age  of  many 
hundred  years,  and  even  to  a  thousand  years.  This,  however, 
is  mere  conjecture,  because  there  aie  no  dates  or  facts  upon 
which  to  found  a  correct  opinion. 

Some  whales  have  been  taken  having  their  teeth  worn  off 
level  with  the  gums ;  and  then,  again,  in  other  instances,  part 
of  their  teeth  have  been  broken  off,  or  torn  out  by  some  violent 
effort* 


262 


BISTORT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


The  whole  nwnber  of  teeth  in  a  spenn  whale  is  about  forty- 
two  ;  they  are  wholly  in  the  lower  jaw,  which  alone  is  mova- 
ble, with  the  exception  of  a  natural  movement  of  the  entire 
head  of  the  fish. 

The  teeth  admirably  fit  into  sockets  in  the  upper  jaw.  When 
the  whale  is  in  search  for  his  food,  or  contending  with  his  foes, 
he  drops  his  lower  jaw,  if  he  sees  fit,  nearly  to  a  right  angle 
with  the  under  part  of  his  body,  and  then  brings  his  jaws  to- 
gether with  incredible  energy  and  quickness. 

Sperm  whales  engage  in  fearful  and  dreadful  struggles  and 
confiicts  with  each  other.  One  was  captured,  a  few  years 
since,  having  his  lower  jaw,  which  was  more  than  fifteen  feet 
long,  and  studded  with  sharp-pointed  teeth,  twisted  entirely 
around  at  a  right  angle  with  his  body ;  he  was  swimming  in 
that  manner  when  he  was  harpooned.  This  was  an  instance 
of  a  most  desperate  encounter.  Another  whale  was  captured 
having  a  part  of  his  enormous  jaw  broken  entirely  off.  The 
front  and  sides  of  their  heads,  as  well  as  their  bodies,  not  un- 
frequently  exhibit  deep  lines  or  furrows  produced  by  the  teeth 
of  some  powerful  antagonist. 

It  is  supposed  that,  as  the  sperm  whale  advances  in  age,  his 
head  not  only  retains  its  ordinary  proportions,  and  to  appear- 
ance becomes  enlarged,  but  the  truth  is,  the  other  parts  of  his 
body,  especially  his  extremities,  do  actually  diminish  in  bulk 
and  circumference. 

In  some  instances,  more  oil  has  beeii  taken  out  of  the  head 
of  a  sperm  whale  than  from  the  other  part  of  his  body. 

The  principal  food  of  the  sperm  whale  is  <<  squid,"  a  mollus- 
cous animal.  **  This  is  an  animal  of  so  curious  an  order  as  to 
merit  a  word  of  special  notice.  The  principal  peculiarity  of 
this  molluscous  tribe  is  the  possession  o.*^  powerful  tentacula 
or  arms,  ranged  roimd  the  mouth,  and  pr  ivided  with  suckers, 
which  give  them  the  power  of  adhering  to  rocks  or  any  other 
substances  with  surprising  tenacity.  Some  of  this  tribe  attain 
to  a  great  size,  and,  as  large  as  the  whale  is,  will  furnish  it 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING.        253 


with  no  contemptible  mouthAil.  In  the  gullet  of  one  sperm 
whale,  an  ann  or  tentaculum  of  a  sea-squid  was  found  meas- 
uring  nearly  twenty-seven  feet  long." 

Whalemen  frequently  discover  large  masses  or  junks  of  squid 
floating  about,  probably  torn  in  pieces  by  whales  in  their 
search  after  food.  The  flesh  of  the  squid  is  soft,  without  bones, 
and  somewhat  transparent,  like  th»  common  sunflsh  seen  on 
ova  shores.  It  is  said  that  squid  have  been  seen  as  large  as 
an  ordinary  whale.  This  food  for  the  sperm  whale  is  foimd  in 
great  abundance  in  the  Pacific  seas. 

2.  The  Bioht  Whalb.  The  whale  having  this  general  cog- 
nomen belongs  to  the  species  of  Baltena  Myaticelut.  There  are 
several  varieties  included  in  this  species,  as  we  shall  hereafter 
obserre,  and  which  are  distinguished  by  whalemen  both  in 
regard  to  some  external  peculiarity  as  well  as  the  different 
localities  where  they  are  usually  found. 

The  right  whale  differs  from  the  sperm  in  the  following  par- 
ticulars :  his  head  is  sharper,  more  pointed ;  he  has  no  **  hump  " 
on  his  back ;  the  column  of  water  which  he  throws  up  when 
he  *<  blows "  is  divided  like  the  tines  of  a  fork ;  and  it  rises 
from  his  breathing  holes  in  a  perpendicidar  direction  from  eight 
to  twenty  feet. 

The  right  whale  furnishes  the  bone  (baleen)  so  much  in  com- 
mon use,  and  called  **  whalebone."  This  bone  is  taken  from 
the  mouth  and  upper  jaw  of  the  whale,  and  is  set  along  later- 
ally, in  the  most  exact  order,  several  inches  apart,  decreasing 
in  length  from  the  centre  of  his  mouth,  or  the  arch  of  his  pal- 
ate, and  becoming  shorter  farther  back,  while  towards  the  lips 
the  bone  tapers  away  into  mere  bristles,  forming  a  loose  hang- 
ing fringe  or  border. 

At  the  bottom  of  this  row  of  bone,  where  it  penetrates  the 
gum,  and  from  eighteen  to  thirty  inches  downward,  we  find  a 
material  that  resembles  coarse  hair,  entwining  and  interlacing 
the  bone,  and  thus  forming  a  sort  of  network,  and  so  thick 
that,  when  the  whale  closes  his  lips  to  press  out  the  water,  the 


^  \ 


254         HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 

smallest  kind  of  flsh  ore  caught  in  the  meshes,  and  are  unable 
to  escape. 

Indeed,  the  edges  of  the  bones,  or  slabs,  as  they  might  b« 
tenned,  are  fringed  with  this  coarse  hair,  and  it  extends  to 
their  extremities,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  rough  state  when  land- 
ed from  whale  ships. 

The  length  of  the  bones  or  slabs*  yary  in  a  great- measure 
according  to  the  size  of  the  flsh,  though  some  varieties  of  this 
species  have  larger  and  better  bone  than  others.  The  value 
of  the  bone  is  enhanced,  as  a  general  thing,  in  proportion  to 
its  length. 

The  principal  food  of  the  right  whale  is  a  very  small,  red 
fish,  called  **  brit."  Immense  shoals  of  these  fish  are  seen  on 
whale  grounds ;  and  the  water  to  a  great  distance,  even  for 
miles,  becomes  colored  with  them. 

When  the  whale  takes  his  food,  he  throws  open  his  lips,  or 
lets  them  fall,  and,  swimming  with  great  velocity,  he  scoops 
up  an  infinite  number  of  these  small  fish  and  others  that  ac- 
company them,  some  of  them  scarcely  larger  than  half  of  an 
ordinary  sized  pea ;  he  then  closes  his  lips,  and  pressing  out 
the  water  fh)m  his  mouth,  every  particle  jf  solid  matter  is 
securely  retained  within. 

"  The  mouth  of  the  whale  is  an  organ  of  very  wonderful 
construction.  In  a  large  specimen  of  the  race,  it  may  measure, 
when  fully  opened,  about  sixteen  feet  long,  twelve  feet  high, 
and  ten  feet  wide  —  an  apartment,  in  truth,  of  very  good 
dimensions.  Notwithstanding  the  enormous  bulk  of  this  crea- 
ture, its  throat  is  so  narrow  that  it  would  choke  upon  a  morsel 
fitted  for  the  deglutition  of  an  ox.  Its  food,  therefore,  must 
be,  as  it  really  is,  in  very  small  particles.  Such  is  the  won- 
derful contrivance  of  nature,  and  in  which  we  can  discover  an 
instance  of  remarkable  wisdom  in  the  Creator  and  Provider 
of  his  creatures." 

The  right  whale  does  not  fight  or  contend  with  his  mouth 


•  Average,  eight  feet ;  longest,  fourteen  feet. 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALINO. 


255 


or  head,  as  tho  Bpcrm  whale  does ;  but  his  means  of  attack 
and  defence  arc  chiefly  in  his  enormous  flukes.  He  will,  how- 
ever, when  struck,  "root  around,"  as  whalemen  sayi  and  not 
unfrequently  in  this  manner  upset  a  boat. 

This  kind  of  whale,  and  other  varieties,  distinguished  by  the 
baleen  or  bone,  have  no  regular  time  for  remaining  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  after  they  "breach,"  nor  in  remaining  under 
water  after  they  **  turn  flukes." 

The  length  of  a  large  right  whale  is  ab«'  it  eighty  feet,  and 
some  have  yielded  their  captors  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three 
hundred  barrels  of  oil. 

Such  a  whale  would  perhaps  weigh  not  far  .  Tom  eig'  ty  tons. 
Allowing  one  ox  to  weigh  twenty-five  hundred  or  three  thou- 
sand pounds,  he  would  weigh  down  more  than  fifty  of  su  U 
animals. 

And  what  a  sublime  sight  it  must  be  —  and  whal  fnui  have 
often  observed  it  —  to  see  such  a  prodigious  living  inass  leap- 
ing right  into  the  air,  clear,  altogether  out  of  the  water,  so  that 
the  horizon  can  be  seen  between  the  fish  and  the  ocean  \  These 
stupendous  exercises  and  gambols  of  such  huge  creatures  are 
termed  '*  breaching." 

Sometimes  a  whale  will  turn  its  head  downwards,  and,  mov- 
ing its  tremendous  tail  high  in  the  air,  will  lash  the  water  with 
violence,  raising  a  cloud  of  vapor,  and  sending  a  loud  rcirart 
to  the  distance  of  two  or  three  miles.  This  is  called  "lobtail- 
ing  "  by  whalemen. 

The  oil  of  this  species  of  whale  is  i;>  valuable  than  the 
sperm.  The  '<  whalebone,"  which  now  iiis  an  advanced  price 
in  the  market  far  beyond  any  previous  value  attached  to  it,  is 
obtained  from  the  mouth  of  the  wb^le  about  in  proportion  of 
a  thousand  pounds  to  a  hundred  barrels  of  oil. 

3.  The  Finback  Whale.  This  is  a  smooth,  slim  fish  — 
smaller  usually  than  a  right  whale.  He  is  found  in  nearly  all 
latitudes.  His  head  and  mouth  are  of  the  same  construction 
with  those  of  the  right  whale.  This  whale  is  known  by  whale- 


256 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


men,  when  seen  at  a  suitable  distance,  by  his  <*  blows."  The 
column  of  vapor  rises  in  a  single  stream  in  a  vertical  or  per- 
pendicular direction.  This  fish  is  termed  finback  on  account 
of  a  fin  on  his  back,  differing  in  this  particular  from  all  other 
species  of  whale.  The  oil  obtained  from  him  is  of  the  same 
quality  as  the  right  whale  oil. 

4.  BowHEAD  Whale.  This  whale  is  smooth  all  over,  having 
no  «  bonnet  on  his  head,"  as  whalemen  say,  and  as  right  whales 
have.  Their  heads  differ  in  shape  somewhat  from  other  whales, 
and  hence  the  name  botohead  given  to  them.  This  species  of 
whale,  so  far  as  known,  has  never  been  found  excq>t  in  the 
Ochotsk  Sea  and  Arctic  Ocean. 

The  Greenland  whale,  and  also  the  i^ecies  called  the  great 
rorqual,  are  doubtless  included  in  the  name  which  our  whale- 
men give  to  the  bowhead. 

There  are  several  other  varieties  of  the  whale  tribe,  and  dif- 
ferent names  are  attached  to  them,  such  as  the  **  scragg,"  the 
*•  humpback,"  &c. ;  but  the  foregoing  are  all  the  kinds  whether 
of  interest  or  profit  to  whalemen. 


W 


CHAPTER  m. 


Whale  Blubber.  — Enemies  of  the  Whale. — Affection  of  the  Whale  for  its 

Young.  —  Instances. 


Whale  Blttbbeb..  The  following  furnishes  a  succinct  state- 
ment of  whale  blubber  :  "That  structure  in  which  the  oil  is, 
denominated  blubber,  is  the  true  skin  of  the  animal,  modified, 
certainly,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  this  fiuid  oil,  but  still 
being  the  true  skin.  Upon  close  examination,  it  is  found  to 
consist  of  an  interlacement  of  fibres,  crossing  each  other  in 
every  direction,  as  in  common  skin,  but  more  open  in  texture. 


w 


\ 


\  I 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


259 


to  leave  room  for  the  oiL  Taking  as  an  example  that  of  an 
individual  covered  with  an  external  layer  of  fat,  we  find  we 
can  trace  the  true  skin  without  any  diJBGlculty,  leaving  a  thick 
layer  of  cellular  membrane  loaded  with  fat,  of  the  same  nature 
as  that  in  the  other  parts  of  the  body ;  on  the  contrary,  in  the 
whale,  it  is  altogether  impossible  to  raise  any  layer  of  skin  dis- 
tinct from  the  rest  of  the  binijher,  however  thick  it  may  be  ; 
and,  in  flenaing^  a  whale  the  operator  removes  this  blubber  or 
skin  from  the  muscular  parts  beneath,  merely  dividing  with 
his  spade  the  connecting  cellular  membrane. 

*<  Such  a  structure  as  this,  being  firm  and  elastic  in  the  high- 
est degree,  operates  like  so  much  India  rubber,  possessing  a 
density  and  power  of  resistance  which  increases  with  the 
pressure.  But  this  thick  coating  of  fat  subserves  other  im- 
portant uses.  An  inhabitant  of  seas  where  the  cold  is  most 
inter':e,  yet  warm  blooded,  and  dependent  for  existence  on 
keepiiig  up  the  animal  heat,  the  whale  is  furnished  in  this 
thick  wrapper  with  a  substance  which  resists  the  abstraction  of 
heat  from  the  body  as  fast  as  it  is  generated,  and  thus  is  kept 
comfortably  warm  in  the  fiercest  polar  winters.  Again,  the 
oil  contained  in  the  cells  of  the  skin,  being  superficially  lighter 
than  water,  adds  to  the  buoyancy  of  the  animal,  and  thus 
saves  much  muscular  exertion  in  swimming  horizontally  and 
in  rising  to  the  surface ;  the  bones,  being  of  a  porous  or  spongy 
texture,  have  a  similar  influence." 

Enemies  op  the  Whale.  '•  The  whales,  gigantic  as  they 
are,  and  little  disposed  to  injure  creatures  less  in  bulk  and 
power  than  themselves,  find,  however,  to  their  cost,  in  common 
with  nobler  creatures,  that  harmlessness  is  often  no  defence 
against  violence.  Several  species  of  the  voracious  sharks  make 
the  whale  the  object  of  their  peculiar  attacks ;  the  arctic  shark 
is  said,  with  its  serrated  teeth,  to  scoop  out  hemispherical  pieces 
of  flesh  from  the  whale's  body  as  big  as  a  man's  head,  and  to 
proceed  without  any  mercy  imtil  its  appetite  is  satiated. 

«« Another  shark,  called  the  thrasher,  which  is  upwards  of 


260 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


twelye  feet  long,  is  said  to  Vise  its  mtucular  tail,  which  is  near- 
ly half  its  own  length,  to  inflict  terrible  slaps  on  the  whale ; 
though  one  would  be  apt  to  imagine  that  if  this  whipping  were 
all,  the  huge  creature  W(;;..;d  be  more  frightened  than  hurt." 

A  sperm  whale  was  k  llf  1  oif  the  coast  of  Peru  several  yearn 
since,  whose  sides  weri  :ov  A  to  be  greatly  bruised,  and  por- 
tions of  the  blubber  were  reduced  nearly  to  a  fluid  state.  Two 
thrashers  probably  attacked  the  whale,  one  dn  one  side  of  it, 
and  the  other  on  the  other,  and  beat  him  in  the  manner  above 
described.  This  fact  sho^^s  that  thrashers  are  not  only  able  to 
injiire  the  whale,  but  most  likely  by  repeated  attacks  even  to 
kill  it. 

*<  The  sword  flsh,  in  the  long  and  bony  spear  that  projects 
from  its  snout,  seems  to  be  furnished  with  a  weapon  which 
may  reasonably  alarm  even  the  leviathan  of  the  deep,  especial- 
ly as  the  will  to  use  his  sword,  if  we  may  believe  eye  wit- 
nesses, iu  in  no  wise  deficient." 

Thus  sharks,  thrashers,  and  sword  fish,  in  pursuit  of  the 
whale,  and  meeting  him  at  every  turn,  and  in  all  directions, 
must  be  powerful  antagonists,  even  with  the  monster  of  the 
deep ;  and  it  is  not  at  all  imlikely  but  that,  in  the  conilicts 
with  him,  they  finally  conquer  and  destroy  him. 

But  there  is  another,  and,  without  doubt,  the  most  powerful 
and  persevering  enemy  with  which  the  right  whale  has  to  con- 
tend, 'liis  is  a  fish  about  sixteen  feet  long,  and  called  hy  his 
appropriate  name,  **  Whale  Killer."  A  company  of  these  fish 
attacking  the  whale  will  almost  surely  overcome  and  kill  him. 
Besides,  the  whale  appears  to  be  sensible  of  the  superiority  of 
his  enemy. 

Though  the  whale  can  and  does  frequently  elude  and  out- 
strip the  velocity  of  the  fastest  boats  of  the  whalemen,  yet, 
when  attacked  by  «  killers,"  he  seems  to  lose  all  power  of  re- 
sistance, and  submits,  without  any  apparent  eflbrt  to  escape. 
The  <*  killers,"  in  their  relish  to  fight  the  whale,  have  been 
known  to  attack  a  dead  one  which  whalemen  had  harpooned, 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING.        261 


and  were  towing  to  the  ship.  And  so  furious  and  determined 
were  they,  that  notwithstanding  they  were  lanced  and  cut  most 
dreadfully  by  the  whalemen  in  order  to  drive  them  off,  yet 
they  finally  succeeded  in  getting  the  ivhale,  and  carried  him 
to  the  bottom.  Old  whalemen  say  that  "killers  "  will  eat  no 
part  of  the  whale  but  his  tongue.  They  attack  him  by  the 
head,  and  if  possible  get  into  his  mouth  and  eat  up  his  tongue. 
The  "  kUlers  "  are  a  remarkably  active  fish,  and  endowed  with 
a  set  of  sharp  teeth  which  may  well  constitute  them  a  power- 
ful adversary  even  to  the  whale,  and  whose  particular  and 
personal  enemy  they  appear  to  be. 

The  Whaie'b  Lots  and  Cabb  fob  its  Offspbino.  The 
strong  affection  of  the  whale  towards  its  young  has  been 
many  times  witnessed  by  whalemen ;  and  yet  the  nature  of 
their  occupation  is  such,  that  they  turn  this  interesting  and 
affecting  feature  of  its  character  to  a  most  fatal  account. 
They  will  try  to  strike  the  yoxmg  one  with  the  harpoon,  and 
if  they  effect  this,  are  sure  of  the  old  one,  for  they  will  not 
leave  it. 

Mr.  Scoresby  mentions  a  case  where  a  young  whale  was 
struck  beside  its  dam.  She  seized  it  and  darted  off,  but  the 
fatal  line  was  fixed  in  its  body.  Regardless  of  all  that  could 
be  done  to  her,  she  remained  beside  her  dying  offspring  until 
she  was  struck  again  and  again,  and  finally  perished.  Some- 
times, however,  she  becomes  furious  on  these  occasions,  and 
extremely  dangerous. 

Another  writer  gives  the  following  accotmt  of  a  case  which 
lie  witnessed  in  the  Atlantic.  Being  out  with  fishing  boats, 
«*we  saw,"  says  he,  "a  whale  with  her  calf  playing  around 
the  coral  rocks;  the  attention  which  the  dam  showed  to  its 
young,  and  the  care  which  she  took  to  warn  it  of  danger,  were 
truly  affect*  g.  She  led  it  away  from  the  boats,  swam  around 
it,  and  sometimes  she  would  embrace  it  with  her  fins,  and  roll 
over  with  it  in  the  waves.  We  tried  to  get  the  'vantage 
ground '  by  going  to  seaward  of  her,  and  by  that  means  drove 


u 


262        HIBTORT  AND  DETAILS  OF   WHALING. 

tt 

her  into  shoal  water  among  the  rocks.  Aware  of  the  danger 
and  impending  fate  of  her  inexperienced  offspring,  she  liWinu 
rapidly  around  it  in  decreasing  circles,  evincing  the  utmost 
uneasiness  and  anxiety ;  but  her  parental  admonitions  vero  wu 
heeded,  and  it  met  its  fate.  The  young  one  was  struck  iiiid 
killed,  and  a  harpoon  was  fixed  in  the  mother.  ItoHH-'d  if> 
reckless  fury,  she  flew  upon  one  of  the  boats,  and  made  br  tail 
descend  with  irresistible  force  upon  the  very  centre  of  our  boat, 
cutting  it  in  two,  and  killing  two  of  the  men ;  the  survivors 
took  to  swimming  for  their  lives  in  all  directionf;.  Her  eubse- 
quent  motions  were  alarmingly  Turious;  but  afterwards,  ex- 
hausted by  the  quantity  of  black  blood  which  sh(>  threw  up, 
she  drew  ;5»  «r  to  her  calf,  and  died  by  its  eidtf  evidently,  in 
her  last  mi  luv  ntSv  more  occr^^ied  with  the  preservation  of  her 
yoimg  thon  ol  herself." 


CHAPTER  IV.     - 


Whale  Grounds.  — Whaling  Seasons,  and  where  Species  of  Whales  are 
found.  — Sperm  Whale  Grounds. —Right  Whale  Grounds.  —  Humpbacks 
and  Bowlwads,  where  found.  —  Right  Whale  not  crossing  the  Equator. — 
Arctic  Passage  for  Whales.  —  Maury's  Opinion  of  the  Haunts  of  the  Whale 
in  the  Polar  Sea.  —  Confirmed  by  Dr.  Kane.  —  Vessels  fitted  for  Whaling. 
—  Several  Classes.  —  Time  of  Sailing.  —  Arrival  at  Home.— Length  of 
Voyages.— Seasons  and  between  Seasons. 

Whale  Orotjnds,  on  Places  where  Whales  mat  be  ta- 
ken. The  following  embrace  all  or  nearly  all  the  prominent 
localities  which  are  familiar  to  whalemen  as  whale  grounds. 

The  Charleston  ground,  Brazil  Banks,  Tristan  de  Cuna  Isl- 
ands, Indian  Ocean,  Sooloo  Sea,  New  Holland,  New  Zealand, 
King  Mill's  Group,  Japan  and  Japan  Sep ,  Peru  Coast,  Chili 
Off  Shore  ground,  California,  Kodiak,  Ochotsk  Sea,  and  Arc- 
tic Ocean. 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


263 


"WhALH  HeASONB  and  THB  Pt.AOEB  WnTUlB  DirPKllENT  SPE- 
CIES OF  Whale  aae  found.  Sperm  wlialcn  arc  tukon  in  tho 
North  and  South  Atlantic  Oceans  in  every  month  of  tho  year. 
Sperm  shales  are  taken  on  the  coast  of  Chili  from  November 
to  April,  and  on  the  coast  of  Peru  in  every  month  of  tho  year. 
In  the  vicinity  of  the  Gallipagos  and  King  Mill's  group,  sperm 
vrhales  are  found.  On  the  coast  of  Japan,  they  may  be  taken 
from  April  to  October.  They  are  also  taken  off  New  Zealand 
and  Navigator's  Island,  from  September  to  May.  From  No- 
vember to  March,  there  is  good  sperm  vt^haling  south  of  Java 
and  Lombock.  In  June  and  July,  sperm  whales  may  be  found 
off  the  north-west  cape  of  New  Holland.  March,  April,  and 
May  are  considered  good  months  for  sperm  whaling  off  tho 
fiashee  Islands,  but  ships  are  obliged  to  leave  this  ground  after 
that  time,  in  consequence  of  typhoons.  From  March  to  July, 
there  is  good  grotmd  for  sperm  whaling  in  the  Sooloo  Sea,  to 
the  west  of  the  Serengani  Islands.  In  the  same  months,  sperm 
whales  are  found  off  Cape  Ilivers  and  Canda,  close  in  to  the 
land.  In  the  Molucca  Passage,  there  is  good  sperm  whaling 
the  year  round ;  the  best  months,  however,  are  January,  Feb- 
ruary, and  March.  The  English  whu!  omen  have  taken,  in  years 
past,  a  large  number  of  sperm  whales  .1  the  Red  Sea.  The 
area  over  which  sperm  whales  roam  may  include  the  immense 
space  of  the  ocean  or  oceans  included  between  the  parallels  of 
60°  of  latitude,  on  both  sides  of  the  equator.  «The  sperm 
whale  is  a  warm  water  fish,"  and,  according  to  the  opinion  of 
Maiuy,  though  it  **  has  never  been  known  to  double  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  he  doubles  Cape  Horn." 

Eiffht  whale  season  off  Tristan  de  Cuna  is  from  November 
to  March ;  and  from  January  to  March  off  Crozetts  and  Deso- 
lation Islands.  Sperm  whales  are  seldom  seen  near  these  isl- 
ands. Right  and  sperm  whaling  off  the  south  coast  of  New 
Holland,  from  October  to  March.  In  August,  there  is  good 
ground  for  humpback  whaling  around  the  Rosemary  Islands. 
Right  whales  are  taken  in  the  Japan  Sea  from  February  to 


264        HISTORT  AND   DBTArLS  OF   WHALING. 


October,  but  bowhead  whales  have  never  been  seen  there. 
Right  whales  are  taken  on  the  Kodiak  ground  from  May  to 
September ;  and  from  March,  or  as  early  as  the  sea  is  free  from 
ice,  until  November,  in  the  Ochotsk  Sea.  Right  whales  are 
foimd  in  the  aotUhem  part  of  the  sea,  and  bowheada  are  found 
in  the  north  and  toeatern  part  of  it  at  the  same  time.  Bowhead 
whales  are  found  and  captured  in  the  Arctic  Ocean  as  soon  as 
the  ice  breaks  up,  which  is  usually  in  June,  until  October. 

The  right  whale  is  a  cold  water  fish.  It  has  been  found  by 
the  examination  of  **  records  kept  by  different  ships  for  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  days,  that  the  tropical  regions  of  the 
ocean  are  to  the  riffkt  whale  as  a  sea  of  fire,  through  which  he 
cannot  pass,  and  into  which  he  never  enters." 

It  has  also  been  supposed,  that  since  the  right  whale  does  not 
cross  the  torrid  zone,  which  to  him  is  as  a  belt  of  liquid  fire 
through  which  he  cannot  pass,  therefore  **  the  right  whale  of 
the  northern  hemisphere  is  a  diffeient  animal  firom  that  of  the 
southern." 

It  is,  however,  a  well-established  fact,  **  that  the  same  kind 
of  whale  which  is  found  off  the  shores  of  Greenland,  in  Baf- 
fin's Bay,  etc.,  is  also  found  in  the  North  Pacific,  and  about 
Behring  Straits ;  the  inference  therefore  is,  that  there  must  be 
an  opening  for  the  passage  of  whales  from  one  part  of  the  Arc- 
tic Ocean  to  the  other." 

The  following  facts  are  taken  from  Maury's  recent  work  on 
**  The  Physical  Geography  of  the  Sea,"  and  cannot  fail  of  being 
interesting  to  whalemen,  and  indeed  to  all  classes  of  readers :  — 

«tt  is  the  custom  among  whalers  to  have  their  harpoons 
marked  with  date  and  name  of  the  ship ;  and  Dr.  Scoresby,  in 
his  work  on  *  Arctic  Voyages,'  mentions  several  instances  of 
whales  that  have  been  taken  near  Behring's  Straits  side  with 
harpoons  in  them  bearing  the  stamps  of  ships  that  were  known 
to  cruise  on  the  Baffin's  Bay  side  of  the  American  conti- 
nent ;  and  as,  in  one  or  two  instances,  a  very  short  time  had 
elapsed  between  the  date  of  capture  in  the  Pacific  and  the  date 


HISTORY  /.ND   DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


265 


when  the  flsh  must  have  been  struck  on  the  Atlantic  side,  it 
was  argued,  therefore,  that  there  was  a  north-west  passage  by 
which  the  whales  passed  from  one  side  to  the  other,  since  the 
stricken  animal  could  not  have  had  the  harpoon  in  him  long 
enough  to  admit  of  a  passage  around  either  Cape  Horn  or  thci 
Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

"  Thus  the  fact  was  approximately  established  that  the  har* 
pooned  whales  did  not  pasH  around  Cape  Horn  or  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  for  they  were  of  the  clas8  that  could  not  cross  the 
equator.  In  this  way  wc  are  furnished  with  circumstantial 
proof  affording  the  most  irrefragable  evidence  that  there  is,  at 
times  at  least,  open  water  communication  through  the  Arctio 
Sea  from  one  side  of  the  continent  to  the  other ;  for  it  is  known 
that  the  whales  cannot  travel  under  the  ice  for  such  a  great 
distance  as  is  that  from  one  side  of  the  continent  to  the  other. 

"  But  this  did  not  prove  the  existence  of  an  open  sea  there  ; 
it  only  established  the  existence  —  the  occasional  existence,  if 
you  please  —  of  a  channel  through  v/hich  whales  had  passed* 
Therefore  we  felt  bound  to  introduce  other  evidence  before  we 
could  expect  the  reader  to  admit  our  proof,  and  to  believe  with 
us  in  the  existence  of  an  open  sea  in  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

<'  There  is  an  under  current  setting  from  the  Atlantic  through 
Davis's  Strait  into  the  Arctic  Ocean,  and  there  is  a  surface  cur- 
rent setting  out.  Observations  have  pointed  out  the  existence 
of  an  under  current  there,  for  navigators  tell  us  of  immense 
icebergs  which  they  have  seen  drifting  rapidly  to  the  north, 
and  against  a  strong  surface  current.  These  icebergs  were 
high  above  the  water,  and  their  depth  below,  supposing  them 
to  be  parallelopipeds,  was  seven  times  greater  than  their  height 
above.  No  doubUthey  were  drifted  by  a  powerful  tmder  cur- 
rent." 

Dr.  Kane  reports  an  open  sea  north  of  the  parallel  of  82^. 
To  reach  it,  his  party  crossed  a  barrier  of  ice  80  or  IOC 
miles  broad.  Before  reaching  this  open  water,  he  found  the 
thermometer  to  show  the  extreme  temperature  of  60°  below 


y 


266 


HISTOBT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


nro.  Faming  this  ice-botmd  region  by  traveling  north,  he 
•tood  on  the  shore*  of  an  iceless  sea,  extending  in  an  unbroken 
sheet  of  water  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  towards  the  pole. 
Its  waves  were  dashing  on  the  beach  with  the  swell  of  a  bound- 
less ocean.  The  tides  ebbed  and  flowed  in  it,  and  it  is  appre- 
hended that  the  tidal  wave  from  the  Atlantic  can  no  more 
pass  under  this  icy  barrier  to  be  propagated  in  seas  beyond, 
than  the  vibrations  of  a  musical  string  can  pass  with  its  notes 
a  fret  upon  which  the  musician  has  placed  his  finger.  .  .  . 
These  tides,  therefore,  must  have  been  bom  in  that  cold  sea, 
having  their  cradle  about  the  north  pole.  If  these  statements 
and  deductions  be  correct,  then  we  infer  that  most,  if  not  all, 
the  unexplored  r^ons  about  the  pole  are  covered  with  deep 
water ;  for,  were  this  imexpected  area  mostly  land  or  shallow 
water,  it  could  not  give  birth  to  regular  tides.  Indeed,  the 
existence  of  these  tides,  with  the  immense  flow  and  drift  which 
annually  take  place  from  the  polar  seas  into  the  Atlantic,  sug- 
gests many  conjectures  concerning  the  condition  of  the  unex- 
plored regions. 

Whaleman  have  always  been  puasled  as  to  the  place  of  breed- 
ing for  the  right  whale.  It  is  a  cold  water  animal ;  and,  fol- 
lowing up  this  train  of  thought,  the  question  is  prompted.  Is 
the  nursery  for  the  great  whale  in  this  polar  sea,  which  has 
been  so  set  about  and  hemmed  in  with  a  hedge  of  ice  that  man 
may  not  trespass  there?  This  providential  economy  is  still 
further  suggestive,  prompting  us  to  ask,  Whence  comes  the 
food  for  the  young  whales  there  ?  Do  the  teeming  waters  of 
the  Gulf  Stream  convey  it  there  also,  and  in  channels  so  far 
down  in  the  depths  of  the  sea  that  no  enemy  may  waylay  and 
spoil  it  on  the  long  journey  ?  These  facts  therefore  lead  us  to 
the  opinion  that  the  polar  sea  may  be  an  exhaustless  resource 
for  the  supply  of  whales  for  other  seas,  as  well  as  a  common 
rendezvous  for  them  during  the  intense  cold  of  arctic  winters. 
Dr.  Kane  found  the  temperature  of  this  polar  sea  only  36°  ! 

Vessels  that  are  fitted  out  for  the  purpose  of  whaling. 


liteiittMiiiti 


fliiiiiliiiiirfii'i'iiiiiii'iiiiiiiiiij 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


267 


s 
a 
n 
1 
e 
f 

d 
;o 

;e 

8. 


whether  for  ifwrm  or  r^A<  whaling,  and  the  time  for  which 
they  are  fitted,  may  be  clamed  as  follows :  — 

1.  Small  vessels,  principally  schooners,  though  barks  and 
brigs  ore  included,  cruise  in  the  North  and  South  Atlantic 
Oceans.  They  are  fitted  for  six  to  eighteen  months,  and  even 
two  years.  2.  Ships  and  barks  that  cruise  in  the  South  Atlan- 
tic and  Indian  Oceans  are  usually  fitted  for  two  to  three  years. 
3.  Ships  and  barks  that  cndse  on  the  Peru  coast,  or  Off  Shore 
ground,  are  fitted  for  two  to  four  years.  4.  Ochotsk  Sea  and 
Arctic  Ocean  whalers  are  fitted  for  two,  three,  and  four  years. 
6.  New  Zealand  whalers,  sperm  and  right,  are  fitted  for  two, 
three,  and  four  years. 

Thb  Timb  whbm  Whaling  Vessbls  sail  to  thsib  bb- 
SPBOTIVB  Whalb  Obotjkds.  Ships  and  barks  fitted  for  the 
North  Pacific,  the  Ochotsk  Sea,  the  Kodiak,  or  the  Arctic 
Ocean,  usually  leave  our  ports  in  the  foil  of  the  year,  so  as  to 
make  the  passage  of  the  Horn,  or  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  in  the 
southern  summer;  these  ships  will  arrive  at  the  Sandwich 
Islands  in  March  or  April,  remain  in  port  a  week  or  two,  re- 
cruit, and  sail  to  the  north.  On  their  return  from  the  north  in 
October  and  November,  and  sometimes  as  late  as  December, 
they  usually  touch  at  the  islands  again,  take  in  a  fresh  supply 
of  provisions,  it  may  be  ship  their  oil  home,  and  sail  to  some 
other  whale  ground  in  a  more  southern  latitude,  either  for 
sperm  or  right  whaling,  or  both,  and  continue  this  cruise  un- 
til the  season  comes  around  for  them  to  go  to  the  north  again. 
The  first  is  called  the  *'  regular  season  "  for  whaling,  and  the 
second  **  between  seasons." 

Ships  that  have  completed  their  voyages,  and  intend  retum- 
iikg  home,  when  they  leave  the  Ochotsk  or  Arctic,  generally 
touch  at  the  islands,  or  some  other  intermediate  port,  for  re- 
cruits, and  arrive  on  our  coast  some  time  in  the  spring  months, 
and  even  as  early  as  February  or  March,  though  not  generally. 
The  great  majority  of  the  ships  sail  in  the  autumn,  and  the 
largest  arrivals  are  usually  in  the  spring. 


268 


HISTORY   AND   DETAILS  OP   WHALING. 


The  Length  op  a  Whale  Voyage  is  deteumined  my  ma 
Number  of  Seasons.  Ono  season  in  the  Ochotsk  or  Arctic, 
including  the  outward  and  homeward  passages,  consumes  am 
year  and  a  half.  Two  seasons  at  the  north,  including  the  pas- 
sages outward  and  home,  and  one  *'  between  seasons,"  require 
tuxr  and  a  half  years.  Three  seasons,  including  the  passages 
and  two  '« between  seasons,"  will  require  three  and  a  half  years. 

Sperm  whalemen,  who  are  not  governed  by  these  seasons  and 
between  seasons,  as  right  whalers  are,  are  absent  from  home 
three  and  a  half  and  four  years,  and  sometimes  longer.  In- 
deed, the  success  or  ill  success  of  whalemen  in  obtaining  oil 
determines  essentially  the  length  of  voyages. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Increased  Length  of  Whaling  Voyages.  —  Capital.  —  Value  of  Oils  and  Bone. 
—  Value  of  several  Classes  of  Whaling  Vessels.  —  "  Lay."  —  Boat's 
Crew.  —  Whaleboats.  —  Approaching  a  Whale.  — Harpooning.  — Whale 
Warp.  —  Danger  when  the  Line  runs  out.  —  Locomotive  Power  of  the 

Whale Lancing.  —  Flurry.  —  Cutting  in —  Boiling  out.  —  The  «  Case 

and  Junk." — The  Rapidity  with  which  Oil  may  be  taken. 

The  voyages  of  all  classes  of  whalemen  are  much  longer  and 
more  tedious  now  than  formerly.  Whales  are  more  scarce, 
more  easily  frightened ;  they  change  their  grounds  or  haunts 
oftener ;  and  besides,  the  number  of  vessels  engaged  in  their 
capture,  in  all  seas,  is  largely  increased,  compared  with  the 
number  twenty  years  since,  or  even  later. 

More  capital  is  now  employed  in  this  enterprise  than  ever  be- 
fore ;  and,  were  it  not  for  the  greatly  advanced  prices  of  oils 
and  bone  beyond  what  they  were  a  few  years  ago,  —  taking 
into  account  the  scarcity  of  whales,  the  long  time  occupied  on 
a  voyage,  the  augmented  expense  of  fitting  out  ships,  in  the 


W 


li 


n 

z 

o 

'■4 

« 

f" 


I,.  .. 

m 


HIST0B7  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALINQ. 


271 


high  prices  of  provisiQns  and  other  incidentals,  —  the  enterprise 
could  hardly  be  sustained  a  single  year ;  and  certainly  but  a 
few  years.  Immense  losses  would  pervade  all  departments  of 
this  wide-spread  system  of  commercial  operation. 

A  few  years  since,  the  price  of  aperm  oil  by  the  quantity  was 
cmljjlfhf  to  aevenijf-Jive  cents  per  gallon ;  but  now  it  brings  one 
dollar  and  forty  centt  per  gallon  by  the  cargo. 

Right  whale  oil  was  formerly  sold  as  low  as  twenty-five  cents 
per  gallon  by  the  cargo ;  but  now  it  brings  in  the  market  feven- 
ty  and  eighty  cents  per  gallon  by  the  quantity. 

Whalebone,  which  formerly  was  sold  as  low  as  »iz  cente  per 
pound,  —  and  almost  a  drug  at  that,  —  in  consequence  of  the  in- 
creased demand  for  it,  and  the  various  and  extraordinary  uses 
to  which  it  is  applied,  now  readily  commands  eighty  cents  per 
poimd. 

TIius  a  cargo  of  three  thousand  barrels  of  sperm  oil,  at  the  pres- 
eat  market  value  of  the  article,  will  amoimt  to  more  than  one 
hundred  and  thirty  thoiisand  d^^llars.  A  cargo  of  three  thou- 
sand barrels  of  right  whale  oil,  including  the  bone,  will  com- 
mand in  the  market,  as  their  value  now  is,  more  than  ninety 
thousand  dollars ;  a  ahip  of  four  hundred  tons  burden,  fitted 
for  a  whaling  voyage,  may  be  estimated  to  be  wojrth  from  thir- 
ty to  sixty  thousand  dollars ;  a  bark  of  three  hxmdred  tons, 
valued  frcmi  twenty-five  to  forty-five  thousand  dollars ;  a  brig 
of  two  hundred  tons,  valued  firom  fifteen  to  twenty-five  thou- 
sand dollars ;  a  tchooaer,  valued  from  eight  to  twelve  thousand 
dollars. 

A  vessel  owned  by  a  number  of  persons,  or  a  company,  is 
usually  divided  into  halves,  quarters,  eighths,  sixteenths,  thir- 
ty-seconds, sixty-fourths,  &c. 

The  "  lay  "  for  which  an  individual  agrees  to  go  on  a  whal- 
ing voyage,  is  the  proportion  of  oil,  or  its  equivalent  in  mon- 
ey, according  to  the  current  value  of  oil,  which  comes  to  his 
share  at  the  termination  of  the  voyage.  A  short  voyage  and 
a  full  ship  will  be  a  profitable  enterprise.    Since  each  and  all 


V 


272 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


on  board  know  their  individual  lays,  all,  therefore,  have  ur- 
gent, personal  considerations  to  secure  both  for  themselves  and 
employers  the  greatest  quantity  of  oil.  ^ 

The  captain's  lay  is  from  one  tenth  to  one  eighteenth  of  all 
the  oil  which  is  obtained ;  the  first  officer's,  or  mate's  lay,  from 
one  seventeenth  to  one  twenty-fifth ;  the  second  officer,  from 
one  thirtieth  to  one  fortieth ;  the  third  mate,  from  one  fortieth 
to  one  fiftieth ;  the  fourth  mate,  from  one  fiftieth  to  one  sixti- 
eth; four  boat  steerers,  each  about  one  eightieth;  *< green 
hands,"  or  those  "  before  the  mast,"  not  far  from  one  hundred 
and  seventy-fifth  lay. 

Each  whale  boat,  when  Tpro^xlj  pointed,  has  six  men.  Some 
ships  man  five  boats,  ot 'lers  four ;  barks  four,  brigs  three,  and 
schooners  two  and  three. 

Each  vessel  carries  nearly  double  the  number  of  whale  boats 
which  it  needs.  The  whale  boats,  which  combine  lightness  and 
strength,  are  always  kept  hanging  over  the  sides  and  upon  the 
quarters  of  the  ship,  ready  furnished  for  pursxiit,  so  that,  on 
the  appearance  of  a  whale  being  annoimced  from  aloft,  one  or 
more  boats  can  be  despatched  in  less  than  a  minute. 

When  a  boat  approaches  the  whale  sufficiently  near  to  strike, 
which  is  sometimes  close  alongside,  and  at  other  times  on  the 
top  of  his  back,  the  boat  steerer,  who  has  the  forward  oar,  im- 
mediately <*  peaks  "  it,  and  taking  his  position  at  the  head  of 
the  boat,  with  harpoon  in  hand,  he  hurls  it  with  all  his  ener* 
gy,  and  generally  with  such  force  and  precision,  that  he  buries 
the  fatal  iron  in  the  body  of  the  whale,  and  sometimes  he  is 
killed  almost  instantly. 

**  The  harpoon  with  which  the  whale  is  first  struck  is  a 
most  important  weapon,  made  of  the  toughest  iron,  somewhat 
in  the  form  of  an  anchor,  but  brought  to  an  edge  and  point. 
Instead  of  steel  being  employed,  as  is  commonly  supposed,  the 
very  softest  iron  is  chosen  for  this  important  implement,  so 
that  it  may  be  scraped  to  an  edge  with  a  knife.  A  long  staff 
is  affixed  to  the  harpoon  by  which  it  is  wielded.    Connected 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


273 


with  the  harpoon  there  is  a  strong  line  regularly  coiled  in  the 
tub  J  when  the  whale  is  struck,  and  is  disposed  to  dart  away  or 
dive  down  to  the  depths  of  the  ocean,  he  carries  the  iron  stick- 
ing fast  by  the  barbs,  while  the  coiled  line  runs  out  with 
amazing  velocity.  From  a  tub  near  the  stern  of  the  boat,  it 
passes  around  a  loggerhead,  and  over  the  seats  of  the  oarsmen, 
to  the  bow  of  the  boat,  and  then  a  sheeve  or  pulley  is  provided, 
over  which  it  passes  to  the  whale.  The  *riction  sometimes  is 
so  great  in  consequence  of  the  rapidity  with  which  the  lino  is 
carried  out  by  the  whale^  if  by  accident  it  gets  out  of  its  place, 
the  bow  of  the  boat  is  speedily  enveloped  in  smoke,  and  would 
burst  into  a  flame  provided  water  was  not  instantly  applied  to 
prevent  or  allay  all  friction. 

**  It  is  at  such  a  time  as  this,  when  by  some  slight  accident 
the  line  gets  •  foul,'  or,  by  the  overturning  of  the  boat,  the 
warp  becomes  '  tangled '  up  with  the  men,  many  a  poor  sailor 
has  been  carried  out  of  the  boat,  and  carried  down  into  the 
depths  below,  and  never  seen  after.  Such  sad  occurrences  as 
these  are  not  wholly  unfamiliar  with  whalemen. 

•'  As  soon  as  the  whale  is  struck,  orders  are  given  to  *  stem 
all,'  in  order  to  get  out  of  the  way  of  his  flukes,  or  if  he  is 
disposed  to  be  frantic  and  run,  to  givo  him  the  line.  Some- 
times the  lines  of  several  boat'i  are  hcnt  on,  and  more  than 
eight  hundred  fathoms  are  run  out,  p.'.vi  yet  the  whale  would 
sink  the  boats  were  not  the  line  cut.  The  force  that  can  drag 
more  thon  three  thousand  feet  of  whale  warp  through  the 
watiir,  including  a  whale  boat,  and  sometimes  more  than  one, 
at  tbe  rate  of  ten,  twelve,  and  J'&ui-teen  miles  per  he  ur,  must  be 
tremendous.  Such  is  the  locomotive  energy  of  the  whale.  It 
is  supposed  that  with  equal  ease  he  could  swim  off  -^ith  a  ship. 

"  When,  however,  the  whale  becomes  so  exhausted,  having 
been  perhaps  harpooned  by  some  other  boats,  that  the  wurp  can 
be  hauled  in,  and  the  boat  or  boats  approach  the  whale  again, 
the  lancer,  who  is  generally  one  of  the  mates  of  the  ship,  ex- 
changes places  with  the  l)oat  steerer,  and  takes  his  position  at 

18 


V 


274        BISTORT  AND   DETAILS  OF   WHALING. 


the  bow  of  the  boat,  with  a  lance  ten  or  twelve  feet  long ;  m 
soon  as  he  comes  near  enough  to  reach  him,  he  thrusts  the  slen- 
der and  fatal  steel  into  the  very  vitals  of  the  animal ;  '  blood 
mixed  with  water  is  discharged  from  the  blow  holes,  and  pres- 
ently streams  of  blood  alone  are  ejected,  which  frequently 
drench  the  boats  and  men,  and  cover  the  sea  far  around. 
Sometimes  the  last  agony  of  the  victim  is  marked  by  convul-> 
sive  motions  with  the  tail,  and  violent  contortions  of  his  whole 
body ;  and,  as  we  have  seen,  in  its  dying  moments  it  turns  its 
rage  towards  the  authors  of  its  sufferings.  The  whale  is  now 
in  his  *  flurry ; '  he  dashes  hither  and  thither,  snaps  convul- 
sively with  his  huge  jaws,  rolls  over  and  over,  coiling  the  line 
around  his  body,  or  leaps  completely  out  of  the  water.  The 
boats  are  often  upset,  broken  into  fragments,  and  the  men 
wounded  or  drowned.  The  poor  animal  whirls  rapidly  around 
in  unconsciousness,  in  a  portion  of  a  circle,  rolls  over  on  its 
side,  and  is  still  in  death.  At  other  times,  after  it  is  lanced, 
the  whale  yields  up  its  life  quietly,  and  dies  with  scarcely  a 
struggle." 

Besides  harpoons,  which  are  the  most  important  instruments 
upon  which  whalemen  depend  for  capturing  the  whale,  the 
harpoon  gun  and  bomb  lance  are  now  used  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. They  are  not,  however,  considered  as  substitutes  for  the 
harpoon,  except  in  cases  of  emergency,  when  the  whale  can- 
not be  approached  by  a  boat,  or  when  he  manifests  ugliness  or 
ferocity.  The  harpoon  gun,  designed  to  throw  a  harpoon,  is 
but  little  used  by  American  ships,  though  quite  generally  among 
English  whalers.  Nearly  all  of  our  whale  ships,  however,  are 
supplied  with  the  fatal  and  destructive  bomb  lance.  The  gim, 
into  which  the  lance  exactly  fits,  is  heavier,  shorter,  and  ita 
barrel  larger  than  common  guns.  It  is  loaded  with  pov^der, 
in  the  same  manner  as  other  guns.  The  lance  is  then  put  into 
'ihm  barrel  of  the  gun,  until  one  end  of  it  comes  in  contact  with 
the  charge  of  powder  ;  the  opposite  extremity  has  three  edges, 
sharp,  and  tapering  to  a  point.    The  entire  length  of  the  lanco 


HISTOBY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING.        275 


is  about  eighterji  inches.  The  lance  is  prepared  with  a  hollow 
tube,  extending  half  or  two  thirds  of  the  distance  through  it ; 
and  this  tube  is  filled  with  a  combustible  material  that  readily 
ignites  when  the  gun  is  fired.  When  the  lance  has  buried  it- 
self in  the  huge  body  of  the  whale,  the  fire  c^immunicates  with 
the  explosive  part  of  the  filling  in  the  tube,  situated  about  in 
the  centre  of  the  lance,  and  in  #few  moments,  thirty  seconds 
perhaps,  it  bursts  like  a  bomb,  and  destroys  the  life  of  the 
whale.  The  bomb  lance  may  be  fired  with  effect  at  a  whale, 
at  a  distance  of  about  fifty  yards  or  more. 

**  The  huge  body  is  now  towed  to  the  ship ;  a  hole  is  cut 
into  the  blubber  near  the  head,  into  which  a  strong  hook  is  in- 
serted —  a  difficult  and  dangerous  operation.  A  strong  tension 
is  then  applied  to  this  hook,  and  by  it  the  blubber  is  hoisted 
up,  as  it  is  generally  cut  by  the  spades  in  a  spiral  strip,  going 
round  and  round  the  body,  the  whale  being  secured  alongside 
of  the  ship,  and  somewhat  stretched  by  tackles  both  at  the 
head  and  tail.  As  this  strip  or  band  of  blubbor  is  pulled  off, 
weighing  from  one  half  to  two  tons,  the  body  of  course  re- 
Tolves,  until  the  stripping  reaches  the  <  small,'  when  it  will 
turn  no  more. 

"  The  head,  which  at  the  commencement  of  the  process  was 
cut  off  and  secured  astern,  is  now  hoisted  into  a  perpendicular 
position,  the  front  of  the  muzzle  opened,  and  the  oil  dipped 
out  of  the  case  by  a  bucket  at  the  end  of  a  pole."  'A  ship  has 
no  purchase  sufficiently  strong  to  hoist  in  on  deck  the  head  of 
a  large  sperm  whale.  It  is  so  heavy  that  it  would  take  the 
masts  out  of  her  if  attempted,  or  bring  her  keel  out  of  water. 
Besides,  it  is  so  bulky  that  it  would  more  than  fill  up  the  entire 
waist  of  the  ship.  The  head  sometimes  contains  more  than 
fifty  barrels  of  oil. 

After  the  oil  has  been  dipped  out  of  the  «  case,"  the  « junk  " 
is  then  cut  into  oblong  pieces  and  taken  in  on  deck ;  the  re- 
mainder of  the  head  and  carcass  are  then  cut  adrift.  The  oil 
is  afterwards  extracted  from  the  blubber  and  junk,  being  cut 


V 


276         HISTORY   AND   DETAILS   OP  WHALING. 


into  small  pieces  by  the  «  mincing  knife,"  and  exposed  to  the 
action  of  fire  in  large  pots,  the  skinny  portions  which  re- 
main serving  for  fuel.  It  should  be  observed  that  it  is  usual 
to  secure  the  "junk"  before  dipping  the  oil  from  the  «•  case." 
The  "junk,"  which  is  the  forward  part  of  the  head,  contains 
the  purest  spermaceti,  and  therefore  more  valuable  on  that  ac- 
count. It  is  deposited  in  th^ront  part  of  the  head  in  a  solid 
mass,  about  the  consistence  of  lard,  and  divided  occasionally 
by  a  narrow  layer  of  "white  horse,"  a  substance  resembling 
the  cords  of  animals,  only  harder.  After  passing  through  a 
•«  cooler,"  the  oil  is  conveyed  through  leathern  hose  to  Itu'ge 
stationary  casks  which  constitute  the  bottom  tier  in  the  hold 
of  the  ship.  When  whales  are  plenty,  which  is  the  harvest 
time  with  whalemen,  they  usually  stow  away  one  hundred 
barrels  of  oil  in  twenty-four  hours.  At  such  times  as  these, 
the  fires  in  the  ••  try  works  "  never  go  out.  If  whales  were 
abundant,  whalemen  would  fill  a  ship  carrying  three  thousand 
barrels  in  less  than  two  months. 


o 

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H 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Outfitting  and  lirfitting.  —  "  Runners."  —  Remedy.  —  Articles  of  Clotlting.  — 
Whaling  BuMaeM.  —  Pr<>motion.  —  W  iiale  Killing.  —  Dangers.  —  General 
Success  of  t\ie  Enterprise. 

In  connectton  with  the  enterprise  of  whaling,  a  system  of 
outfitting  and  t/^:- '  n^r,  ;:•  they  are  termed  in  common,  parlance, 
has  sprung  up,  become  establishe'V  and  which  is  now  closely 
identified  and  a.  ciated  with  it.  This  system,  from  its  novel 
and  somewhat  singular  operation,  is  like  the  vine,  which  en- 
twines itself  around  the  huge  and  gigantic  oak,  and  thus  it 
grows  and  expands  according  to  the  height  and  dimensions  of 


II  i] 


mm 


HISTORY  AND   DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


279 


its  support.  Such  is  tho  outfitting  and  infitting  business  in  its 
relations  to  'whaling. 

There  are  many  establishments  of  this  sort,  in  those  places 
where  whaling  is  carried  on,  whose  principal  business  is  to  fit 
out  recruits  for  whale  ships.  Hundreds,  and  perhaps  thou- 
sands, of  young  men  from  the  coimtry,  who  have  a  desire  to  go 
to  sea,  and  particularly  whaling,  naturally  direct  their  steps 
to  seaport  places.  There  are  others,  also,  who  compose  the 
floating,  shifting,  and  in  many  cases  the  vicious  class  of  yoimg 
men,  such  as  are  found  in  all  our  large  cities  and  prominent 
seaport  towns;  these,  as  a  last  resort,  and  in  keeping  with 
their  roving  and  roaming  habits,  enlist  in  the  whaling  service. 
Such,  too,  are  generally  poor,  wanderers  it  may  be  from  good 
homes,  becoming  associated  with  bad  company,  and  having  no 
particular  means  of  helping  themselves  in  the  time  of  emer- 
gency ;  therefore  they  are  willing  to  be  assisted  in  any  way  by 
others.    Indeed,  a  change  to  them  is  a  new  fortune. 

Advertisements  or  handbills  sent  abroad  from  place  to  place, 
proclaiming  the  want  of  seamen,  are  the  measures  usually 
adopted,  besides  some  others,  for  collecting  the  materials  which 
supply,  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  whaling  fleet  with  <*  green 
hands."  The  outfitters  take  the  general  charge  of  these  men, 
pay  their  board  bills  and  other  incidentals  while  in  port,  or 
before  going  to  sea,  and  thus  supply  agents  of  ships  in  want 
of  seamen.  Scores  and  hundreds  are  shipped  in  this  manner 
who  never  see  the  vessels  in  which  they  are  to  sail  until  they 
go  on  board  for  the  voyage. 

The  outfit  is  supposed  to  embrace  such  articles  of  clothing, 
as  to  quality  and  value,  which  seamen  need  for  the  cruise, 
whether  longer  or  shorter,  according  to  the  time  for  which  they 
are  shipped.  There  is  scarcely  one  young  man,  unless  he  has 
had  some  previous  information  on  this  point,  or  is  otherwise  fa- 
miliar with  the  facts,  who  knows  what  he  most  needs  in  the 
line  of  clothing  for  a  voyage  of  two,  three,  and  four  years. 

The  outfitter,  however,  is  supposed  to  know  just  what  the 


280 


HISTORY  AND   DETAILS  OF   WHALING. 


young  man  needs.  He  is  therefore  provided  with  a  aea 
chest,  and  in  the  chest,  his  stock,  or  outfit  of  clothing,  is  sup- 
posed to  he  placed  by  the  outfitter,  according  to  the  amount 
for  which  the  respective  agents  of  ships  wanting  men  will  be 
responsible,  and  for  which  agents  will  settle  with  the  outfitters 
after  the  sailing  of  their  ships.  Outfitters  are  thus  limited  by 
agents  of  ships  as  to  the  amount  of  the  bills  of  clothing 
charged  against  each  seaman  respectively.  The  amounts  of 
the  bill  of  goods,  or  outfit,  authorized  by  an  agent,  and  so  un- 
derstood by  the  outfitter,  will  average  from  sixty  to  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  dollars  to  each  seaman,  or  some  of  the 
lower  officers,  as  boat  stccrcrs  or  fourth  mates.  Besides,  all 
the  expenses  which  the  outfitter  has  been  at  in  procuring  men, 
and  while  on  their  hands  before  the  ship  sails,  are  charged  in 
the  several  bills  against  the  seamen. 

After  the  sailing  of  the  ship,  the  outfitter  presents  his  bills 
to  the  agent,  which  he  has  against  the  men  whom  he  has  fur- 
nished for  the  ship,  and  these  bills  are  immediately  settled. 
Now,  the  amount  of  tfie  bills  thus  paid  to  the  outfitter  is 
charged  by  ^he  agent  of  the  ship  to  each  seaman,  according  to 
his  bill  oi  outfit,  or  which  the  outfitter  has  agaJnst  him.  In 
tin;  transf:?!:  of  \he  bills  from  the  outfitter  to  the  agent  who  set- 
t.^e.s  them  the  agent  adds  twenty  per  cent,  to  each  seaman's 
bill ;  and  thus  the  seaman,  by  this  change,  becomes  indebted  to 
the  owners  of  the  ship  in  which  he  sails. 

The  outfitter,  however,  must  see  his  men  on  board  of  the 
ship  before  she  sails ;  if  they  are  not  there,  or  if  they  havo 
taken  "  a  land  tack,"  which  they  sometimes  do,  clothes  and 
all,  the  outfitter  is  the  chief  and  only  loser  in  the  affair. 
Special  care,  therefore,  is  taken  by  the  outfitter,  that  the  chests 
of  clothing  belonging  to  seamen  shall  accompany  them  when 
they  go  on  board  to  go  to  sea. 

Again,  seamen  are  furnished  for  the  whaling  fleet  by  another 
method:  an  agent,  for  example,  wishes  to  procure  a  certain 
number  of  whalemen ;  and  for  this  purpose  he  sends  to  an  out- 


^ 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING.        281 


between  officers  and  crev 
in  this  way  are  thus  place 


fitter,  who  secures  the  number  that  is  wanted,  gives  theni  an 
outfit,  OS  before  noticed,  and  places  them  on  board  a  day  or  two 
before  the  ship  sails.  This  course  is  now  usually  adopted  with 
reference  to  ordinary  scameu  or  green  hands.  Thus  we  see 
the  operation  of  the  outfitting  system. 

"NVe  would  respectfully  suggest  in  this  connection,  that  in 
our  opinion,  tluK  method  of  supplying  ships  with  ••  fresh 
hands  "  is  one  of  the  mo(»t  ■  C  sources  of  unhappiness,  dis- 

cord, and  every  evil  worl<  -^h  not  unfrequently  take  place 

ry  lowest  dregs  of  society 
ard  as  foremast  hands ;  and 
among  them  there  will  be  found  thuse  of  desperate  characters, 
and  prepared  for  every  work  of  disturbance  and  crime. 

The  ii}fitting  may  be  stated  in  the  following  brief  manner. 
"NVhen  a  ship  arrives  in  port  from  a  whaling  voyage,  there  are 
individuals  ready  to  go  on  board  before  she  approaches  the 
wharf,  or  even  casts  anchor  in  the  outer  harbor,  whose  object 
is  to  supply  seamen,  or  those  whom  they  have  formerly  out- 
fitted, as  soon  as  they  come  ashore,  with  new  clothes ;  or,  in 
other  words,  to  give  them  a  regular  infit.  These  individuals 
ar(!  called  by  agents,  whalemen,  and  others,  « runners,"  or 
"sharks,"  and  are  connected  with  the  outfitting  and  infitting 
establishments.  The  seamen  are  soon  provided  with  new  suits 
of  clothing  from  head  to  foot,  which  they  greatly  need  after 
a  three  or  four  years'  voyage  around  the  Horn.  The  results  of 
the  voyage,  however,  if  any  thing  shall  be  due  to  the  returned 
seamen  at  the  time  of  settlement  with  the  agent,  are  held 
available  to  the  outfitter;  he  looks  to  this  source  wholly,  to 
meet  this  additional  bill  of  clothing,  or  infit,  which  he  has 
against  the  young  whaleman. 

If  this  were  all  upon  which  the  "sharks"  were  disposed  to 
lay  thoir  hands,  it  might  be  construed  into  a  virtue,  perhaps, 
instead  of  a  fault.  But  could  the  history  of  large  numbers  of 
returned  seamen,  both  whalemen'  and  others,  be  only  partially 
opened  and  spread  out  before  the  public  eye,  as  it  not  unfre- 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)872-4503 


V, 


.282        HIBTOBT  AND  DBTAII^  OF  WHALISTQ. 


qumtly  i%  in  thikt  history  we  should  find  loeaes  oi  tempta- 
tion, dinipatioa,  and  vice,  in  which  not  only  the  hard-earned 
frttita  of  yean  of  toil,  but  character  likewise,  reputation,  and 
happiness,  have  disappeared  before  the  voracious  grasp  of  those 
who  lie  in  wait  to  destroy. 

^  There  are,  doubtless,  honorable  and  creditable  men  in  the 
outfitting  and  infltting  business,  as  well  as  in  other  avocations 
and  calling!.  Such  we  do  not  mean.  It  is  not  so  much  the  enter- 
prise as  it  is  the  disreputable  proceedings  of  those  who  are  bent 
on  securing  unrighteous  gain,  and  to  whom,  in  far  too  many 
instances,  alas  I  the  unsuspecting  sailor  fall*  an  easy  prey.    It 

.  is  poqpns  of  this  description,  called  <*  runners,"  w  "aharks," 
that  are  not  even  allowed  on  board  of  some  ships  when  they 
oome  into  port,  and  before  the  crew  are  discharged.    The  pur- 

'pooe  of  their  visits  is  well  known,  both  to  the  officers  and 
owners,  and  therefore  they  are  denied  the  liberty  of  coming 
onboard. 

Seamen,  beware !  There  are  shoals,  quicksands,  and  death- 
pointed  rocks  upon  the  land  as  well  as  upon  the  ocean !  Bo 
not  led  astray.  Be  men,  upright,  honest.  Shun  the  cup,  and 
all  the  gUded  and  winning  blandishments  that  line  the  path- 
way to  ruin !  Husband,  with  becoming  interest  and  economy, 
the  results  of  your  toiL  Bemember  that  virtue,  and  the  fear 
of  Ood,  united  with  a  conscientious  discharge  of  your  duty, 
both  upon  the  sea  and  upon  the  land,  will  be  a  sure  precursor 
to  hapinness,  usefulness,  and  success  in  life.  Take  this  course, 
and  we  assure  you,  as  friends  to  your  temporal  and  rdigious 
welfare,  you  will  escape  many  a  snare  spread  for  your  feet,  into 
which  others,  with  less  circumspection  and  watchfidness,  sadly 
and  fatally  fall. 

It  sometimes  happens,  that  a  seaman  who  has  been  on  a  voy- 
age of  several  years,  finds  on  his  return  that  he  has  not  made 
enough  to  pay  his  outfit  and  infit,  nor  money  enough  in  his 
pocket  to  get  home  to  his  relatives  and  Mends  in  the  country. 
The  voyage,  perhaps,  had  been  an  unsuccessful  one,  and  he^ 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


283 


therefore,  "with  others,  suffers  a  common  loss.  Worthy  young 
men  experience  such  instances  of  misfortune  as  these ;  having 
made  little  or  nothing  during  their  absence  firom  home,  they 
are  induced,  from  a  sense  of  mortified  pride,  perhaps,  to  re- 
main away  years  longer,  hoping  thereby  to  gain  during  the 
next  voyage  what  they  failed  to  secure  in  the  last  one.  Thus 
they  ship  again,  and  go  through  nearly  the  same  routine,  the 
second  time,  as  thsy  did  the  first ;  with  this  exception,  how- 
ever, if  they  have  given  proof  of  efficiency  and  aptitude  in 
whaling,  they  will  be  promoted  to  the  position  of  boat  steerers, 
and  even  to  higher  offices. 

The  writer  on  one  occasion  conversed  with  a  young  man,  on 
board  of  one  of  our  outward  bound  whale  ships,  respecting 
his  parents,  the  place  of  his  nativity,  how  long  he  had  been  in 
the  whaling  business,  when  he  left  home,  &c  He  informed! 
the  writer  that  he  had  a  widowed  mother  in  an  a4)<nning 
state;  tliat  he  returned  from  sea  in  June  last,  and  having 
made  nothing,  he  was  therefore  unable  to  go  home  and  see  his 
mother.  Soon  aftor  his  arrival  in  New  Bedford  he  shipped 
again,  and  is  now  on  another  cruise  of  three  and  a  half  years. 
When  allusion  was  made  to  his  mother,  and  that  in  some  way 
he  oi'.ght  to  have  gone  and  seen  her,  the  tear  instantly  gath- 
ered in  his  eye,  which  showed  that  beneath  a  weather-beaten 
exterior  there  was  something  in  his  bosom  which  quickly  re- 
sponded to  the  endearing  name  —  mother. 

The  system  of  outfitting,  to  which  allusion  has  been  made, 
and  which  might  be  carried  on  with  honesty  and  integrity,  yet 
nevertheless,  as  all  must  see,  furnishes  an  opportunity  for 
the  unprincipled  and  avaricioiis  to  defraud  and  grossly  cheat 
the  ignorant  and  unsuspecting.  The  following  are  the  ways 
in  which  it  may^  done.  1.  In  the  poor  and  miserable  quality 
of  cloth  of  which  seamen'a  garments  are  made.  They  have  been 
known  to  fall  to  pieces  after  being  worn  only  a  few  times, 
wliich  clearly  proved  that  the  material  called  cloth  was  just 
•trong  enough  to  be  put  into  the  shape  of  clothes,  and  that  was 


284 


BISTORT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


alL  It  was  poor  and  cheap,  and  the  buyer  of  the  article  prob* 
ably  knew  it ;  it  being  for  whalemen,  and  outfits  justified  th« 
purchase.  2.  In  the  loote  and  imperfect  manner  in  which  «M« 
men' 9  garmenU  ar^put  together.  This  is  not  true  of  all.  The 
price  paid  for  making  is  the  minimum,  or  starving  price ;  and 
therefore  the  garments  are  made  accordingly.  There  are  two 
losers  by  this  arrangement,  and  one  winner.  The  maker  and 
buyer  are  the  losers,  while  the  profit  passes  into  the  hands  of 
the  seller.  3.  In  the  'exorbitant  ehargee  which  are  eometimea 
made  for  artielea  f  dothing  in  the  bill  of  outfit.  Some  astotmd- 
ing  facts  might  be  mentioned  illustrating  this  point ;  but  we  let 
them  pass,  hoping  they  will  never  be  reenacted  again.  Be- 
iddes,  instances  have  been  known,  in  which  there  was  a  sad 
discrepancy  between  the  seaman's  bill  of  clothing,  and  the 
number  of  articles  actually  found  in  his  chest,  when  he  first 
examined  it,  after  the  ship  was  got  imder  weigh,  and  bound  out 
to  sea. 

It  is  when  whalemen  are  beyond  our  coast,  and  around  the 
*  Horn,  and  their  outfits  have  been  put  to  some  service,  they  find 
that  the  winds,  storms,  and  exposures  have  made  sad  havoo 
of  their  supposed  sound  and  reliable  chest  of  clothing.  The 
fact  that  they  are  not  present,  but  absent,  and  will  be  for 
months  and  years,  and  therefore  imable  to  speak  for  themselves, 
face  to  face,  to  those  by  whom  they  have  been  told,  poorly  and 
wretchedly  justifies  frauds,  which  may  not  be  heard  from  for 
months,  and  perhaps  for  years.  Time,  however,  stereotypes, 
instead  of  obliterating,  a  wrong.  d  still  further,  extrava- 
gant and  .imreasonable  inducivab  :nd  promises  held  out  to 
influence  thoughtless  youth  to  engage  in  the  business  of  whal- 
ing, are  connected  with  the  evils  which  have  grown  out  of  the 
system  of  outfitting,  and  of  which  whalemen  and  others  have 
justly  complained.  These  evils,  however,  if  they  now  exist, 
could  be  measurably  removed,  if  agents  of  the  respective  ships 
would  carefully  examine  the  bill  of  clothing  which  each  sea- 
man bringi)  from  the  outfitter,  article  by  article,  contained  in 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


285 


his  chest ;  or  if  captains  and  officers  should  take  this  thing  in 
hand  after  the  sailing  of  their  ships  from  port,  and  thus  as- 
certain from  personal  inspection  whether  their  crews  hove  heen 
justly  dealt  with  as  to  the  quality  and  number  of  articles  in 
their  bill  of  outfits. 

Were  this  course  thoroughly  pursued,  it  would  put  at  oncOf 
we  are  free  to  assert,  a  wholesome  check  upon  any  further  at- 
tempts to  defraud  the  ignorant  and  unsuspecting.  We  may 
go  even  yet  further,  and  say,  that  it  is  clearly  the  duty  of  agents 
and  officers  of  ships  to  look  after  the  interests  of  inexperienced 
seamen  who  sail  in  their  employ,  and  under  their  command ; 
and  if  they  did  as  suggested,  it  would  doubtlese  greatly  con- 
duce to  the  contentment  of  seamen  on  shipboard,  and  likewise 
promote  mutual  good  will  and  understanding,  in  regard  to  the 
purposes  of  the  voyage. 

It  is  hoped,  however,  there  is  less  disposition  now  than  for- 
merly to  defraud  the  unsuspecting,  either  in  the  quality  or  num- 
ber of  articles  included  in  their  outfit,  or  to  deceive  the  ignorant 
by  presenting  to  their  minds  unreasonable  and  extravagant 
promises,  which  would  never  be  realized ;  and  that  honesty* 
whi  h  is  always  the  best  and  safest  policy  at  all  times,  and  un- 
der all  circumstances,  will  henceforth  be  more  obviously  seen 
in  this  branch  of  business  connected^with  the  whale  fishery. 

The  following  is  an  inventory  of  the  principal  articles  of 
clothing,  and  a  few  incidentals,  included  in  a  yotmg  whale- 
man's outfit  for  a  voyage,  of  two,  three,  or  four  years.  It  may 
serve  as  a  sort  of  directory,  and  thus  be  of  considerable  ad- 
vantage to  those  who  would  prefer  a  good,  substantial  outfit* 
compared  with  one  which  may  have  a  name  simply,  but  defi- 
cient in  a  great  measure  in  real  worth  and  service. 

1  Monkey  Jacket,  4  Undershirts, 

1  Reefing     do.,  6  Pairs  Thin  Pants, 

1  Oil  Suit,  6  Thin  Shirts, 

4  Pairs  Thick  Pants,  4  Pairs  Thick  Drawer^* 

6  Thick  Shirts,  1  Guernsey  Frock, 


V. 


286        HI8T0RT  AND   DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


ITliin  Frock, 

6  Pain  Shoes,  good, 


1  Tin  Pot, 
1  Spoon, 


6    **    StookingB,  1  Tin  Fan, 

6  Jaokknives.  1  Bed,  (mattress,) 

Quilt,  Blanket,  Pillow,  &c.,  &c. ;  Bazor,  Strop,  Soap,  Nee- 
dles, Thread,  Brush,  &c. 

The  chief  purpose  the  writer  had  in  view  in  bringing  to- 
gether these  facts  connected  with  the  history  and  details  of 
whaling,  was  not  only  to  interest  the  general  reader,  but  that 
young  men  from  the  country,  and  elsewhere,  who  are  desirous 
of  engaging  in  this  branch  of  employment,  may  know  some- 
what of  its  character  and  pecuniary  importance  in  a  commer- 
cial point  of  view. 

Men  of  the  first  business  talents  are  enlisted  in  this  enter- 
prise at  home ;  and  a  more  hardy,  thorough-going,  energetic, 
and  generous  class  of  men,  as  captains  and  officers  of  ships,  do 
not  traverse  the  ocean.  That  there  are  exceptions  to  this  gen- 
eral rule,  none  will  deny.  Capridousness,  tyranny,  crossness, 
and  inhumanity  are  exhiMted  by  some  upon  the  sea  as  well  as 
upon  the  land.  He  who  cannot  govern  himself  is  ill  prepared 
to  be  the  leader  of  others. 

It  may  be  said  that  whalemen  are  at  home  on  the  ocean. 
During  the  first  fifteen  or  twenty  years  of  their  service,  they 
scarcely  remain  at  home  with  their  families  and  friends  as 
many  months.  It  is  no  mean  and  tmworthy  profession,  but 
one  highly  honorable  and  creditable  for  any  aspirant. 

Nor  is  the  responsible  position  of  a  captain,  or  officer,  at- 
tained at  once.  Promotion  comes  not  from  the  cabin  windows, 
but  in  a  dire6t  line  from  the  forecastle.  There  must  be  a  reg- 
ular apprenticeship  gone  through  with,  before  one  can  expect 
to  succeed  in  the  hazardous  undertaking  of  capturing  the  mon- 
sters of  the  deep.  It  is  a  trade,  and  in  this  regard  it  is  far  dif- 
ferent fh>m  the  merchant  service.  In  addition  to  good  sea- 
manship, —  and,  by  the  way,  whalemen  are  acknowledged  to 
be  among  the  best  navigators  in  the  world,  —  it  is  whale  killingt 


HIBTOBT  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING.        287 


o 
ft 


•a  aptitude  for  this  particular  kind  of  work,  that  gires  prom- 
Iw  of  attainment  and  succeai  in  the  profession. 

This  business,  then,  we  say,  holds  out  many  reasonable  in- 
ducements to  a  young  man  desirous  of  engaging  in  it  With 
a  good  common  school  education,  energetic,  fidthful  to  himself 
and  his  employers,  temperate,  and  withal  having  a  purpose  to 
be  something  and  do  something  in  the  world,  thore  are  but  few 
paths  to  honorable  respect,  character,  influence,  and  pecuniary 
competence,  more  inyiting  than  this. 

There  are  trials,  and  peculiar  ones  too,  in  the  whaling  ser- 
vice; and  in  what  branch  of  industry  are  there  not?  But 
making  all  the  allowances  for  long  absences  from  home,  which, 
without  doubt,  are  the  greatest  deprivations  of  all,  yet  there 
are  other  considerationsi  which,  it  is  believed,  counterbalance 
these  disadvantages. 

There  are  dangers  also  connected  with  whaling ;  aside  f^om 
the  storms  and  sufferings  which  whalemen  experience  in  navi- 
gating those  remote  northern  seas  and  oceans,  the  greatest  ex- 
posure to  life  is  doubtless  in  the  work  of  whaling.  Yet,  tak- 
ing into  the  account  the  number  of  vessels  and  seamen  engaged 
in  this  business,  the  distant  places  visited  by  them,  and  the 
character  of  their  employment,  and  we  venture  the  assertion, 
that  there  is  no  department  of  commercial  enterprise,  whether 
coastwise  or  foreign,  that  can  present  a  list  more  free  from  dis- 
aster, loss  of  life,  or  bad  health  among  seamen,  than  the  whal- 
ing fleet. 

While  varied  success  attendi  the  labors  and  deprivations  of 
whalemen,  yet,  on  the  whole,  we  must  conclude  that  the  enter- 
prise is  as  profitable,  and  furnishes  as  strong  inducements  for 
the  investment  of  capital,  as  almost  any  other. 

There  have  been  partial  and  individual  reverses  in  the  whal- 
ing business,  it  is  true,  and  unforeseen  contingencies  will  ever 
happen ;  yet  this  fact  is  most  obvious  and  plain  to  be  seen,  that 
from  the  whole  history  of  whaling  in  this  country,  those  ses.- 
port  places  in  which  the  business  has  been  perseveringly  carried 


* 


V 


288 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


on,  will  advantageously  compare  with  inland  manufacturing 
and  farming  communities,  in  enterprise,  wealth,  educational 
appliances,  and  in  all  the  comforts,  and  even  the  luxuries, 
of  life. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


Manufacture  of  Oil. 


'  Crude  oil,  or  oil  in  its  natural  state,  is  that  which  is  ob- 
tained from  the  bluboer  of  the  whale  in  the  process  of  « try- 
ing out"  on  shipboard.  The  oil,  then,  which  is  taken  from 
whale  ships  and  carried  to  the  oil  mar  ufactory,  is  said  to  be  in 
its  crude  state.  We  will  speak  first  of  the  manufacture  of 
crude  sperm  oil.* 

The  first  step  in  the  process  of  manufacture,  is  to  take  the 
oil  in  its  crude  state,  and  put  it  into  large  kettles,  or  boilers, 
and  subject  it  to  a  heat  of  one  hxmdred  and  eighty  to  two  him- 
dred  degrees,  and  then  all  the  water  which  happened  to  be- 
come mixed  with  the  oil,  either  on  shipboard  or  since,  will 
evaporate. 

WiNTBK  STK&.INED  SpEHM  OiL.  In  the  fall,  or  autumn, 
the  oil  is  boiled  for  the  purpoue  of  granulation  during  the  ap- 
proaching cold  weather.  The  oil  thus  passes  from  a  purely 
liquid  into  a  solid  state,  or  one  in  which  it  is  in  grains,  or 
masses. 

When  the  temperature  of  the  atmosphere  rises,  or  the  weath- 
er slackens  during  the  winter,  the  oil  which  has  been  frozen, 
but  is  now  somewhat  softened,  is  shovelled  out  of  the  casks  and 


6a 
o 


St 

o 


*  The  author  is  indebted  to  Charles  J.  Barney,  Esq.,  foreman  of  Dr.  Dan- 
iel Fisher'a  oil  factory,  in  Edgartown,  one  of  the  largest,  if  not  the  largest 
in  the  country,  for  the  principal  facts  respecting  the  manufacture  of.  oil. 


N 


V 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


291 


v^ 


put  into  itrong  bags  that  will  hold  half  a  bushel  or  more,  in 
order  to  be  prened.  The  oil  which  is  now  obtained  from  thia 
flrtt  preaiing  it  called  winttr  $trained  tptrm  oit. 

SruMo  Spibk  Oil.  What  remains  in  the  bags  after  the 
first  pressing,  is  again  heated  by  being  put  into  boilen,  after 
which  it  is  baled  into  casks  again,  and  upon  cooling,  it  be- 
comes more  compact  and  solid  than  it  was  before. 

During  the  month  of  April,  when  the  temperature  is  about 
fifty  degrees,  the  oil  becomes  softened ;  it  is  then  put  into  bags, 
and  goes  through  a  second  process  of  pressing  rimilar  to  the  first. 
The  oil  from  this  pressing  is  called  tpri*9  drained  tptrm  oil, 

TioKT  Fbissbd  Oil.  That  which  is  left  in  the  bags  after 
the  second  pressing,  is  again  melted,  and  put  into  tin  pans  or 
tubs  which  will  hold  about  forty  pounds  each.  When  this 
liquid  is  thoroughly  cooled,  as  each  pressing  makes  what  is  left 
harder,  in  consequence  of  extracting  the  oil,  the  cakes  taken 
from  the  tubs  are  then  carried  into  a  room  heated  to  about 
ninety  degrees ;  and  as  they  begin  to  yield  to  the  influence  of 
this  high  temperature,  or  the  remaining  oil  b^ins  to  soften  the 
cakes,  they  are  taken  and  shared  into  very  fine  pieces,  or 
groimd  up  as  in  some  instanoii  deposited  in  bags  as  hitherto, 
and  put  into  the  hydraulic  press. 

The  room  being  at  the  temperature  indicated  above,  and  the 
bags  subjected  to  a  powerful  pressure  of  three  hundred  tons  or 
more,  all  the  oil  is  extracted  from  them,  and  what  is  left  is 
perfectly  dry,  free  from  any  oily  matter,  and  brittle.  The  oil 
thus  obtained  by  this  last  presdng  is  called  tight  preaaedt  or  tum- 
meroif. 

Sfebhacbti.^  What  remains  after  the  several  pressiags,  and 
the  removal  of  all  the  oiL,  is  called  ttearinet  or  9p«rmaceii, 

Spermaceti  is  not  confined  to  the  head  matter  of  the  whale, 
as  some  suppose,  nor  does  the  head  matter  have  any  thing  to 
do  with  the  brains  of  the  whale,  as  others  have  falsely  con- 
jectured ;  but  spermaceti  is  found  in  the  entire  oil  from  the 
whale. 


•  • 


292 


HIBTORY   AND  DETAILS  OF   WHALING. 


It  should  be  obaorved,  however,  that  the  tpermaceti  firom  the 
body  oil  of  the  whale  makes  harder  candles  than  the  sperma- 
ceti from  the  head  matter ;  but  the  head  oil  or  matter  gives  a 
greater  proportion  of  spermaceti,  and  is  more  valuable  than  that 
from  the  body  oil.  ^  Besides,  the  spermaceti  firom  the  head  oil 
is  quite  different  from  that  of  the  body  oil ;  the  former  pre- 
sents fine,  bright,  transparent  scales,  like  small  particles  of 
isinglass,  while  the  latter  is  more  compact,  something  like 
dough.  In  cooling,  one  exhibits  a  sparry,  orystalline  struc- 
ture, the  other  that  of  clay. 

Head  oil  or  matter  is  usually  manufactured  with  the  body 
oil  of  the  whale,  and  mixed  in  proportion  to  one  third  of  the 
former  to  two  thirds  of  the  latter. 

Spibmaobti  Candlks.  That  which  remains  in  the  bags 
after  the  hydraulic  pressure  is  both  dry  and  brittle.  The  oU, 
it  is  supposed,  is  wholly  extracted,  and  nothing  now  remains 
but  the  spermaceti.  Its  color,  however,  is  not  white,  but  in- 
terspersed  with  grayish  streaks,  bordering  on  the  yellow. 

The  ipermaoeti  is  put  into  large  boilers  adapted  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  heated  to  the  temperature  of  two  hundred  and  ten 
degrees.  It  is  refined  and  cleared  of  all  foreign  ingredients 
by  the  application  of  alkali.  Afterwards  water  is  added, 
which,  with  a  temperature  of  two  hundred  and  forty  degrees, 
throws  off  the  alkali  in  the  form  of  vapor.  The  liquid  which 
remains  is  as  pure  and  clear  as  the  crystal  water,  and  ready  to 
be  made  into  the  finest  spermaceti  candles. 

Bight  Whalk  Oil.  The  manufacturing  of  this  variety  of 
oil  is  of  recent  date,  (within  twenty-five  years.)  At  first,  in 
preparing  it  for  sale,  it  was  taken  in  its  crude  state  and  <*  recked 
off,"  that  is,  simply  pumped  out  of  the  casks,  and  leaving  the 
sediment  behind.  This  kind  of  oil  then  was  as  cheap  as  milk 
is  now. 

Bii^CHuro  Oil.  Crude  oil  is  bleached  in  the  first  place  by 
putting  it  into  large  kettles,  applying  alkali  to  it  in  proportion 
of  one  quart  of  alkali  to  one  barrel  of  oil,  and  then  heating  it 


HISTORY  AND  DETAILS  OF  WHALING. 


293 


to  a  temperature  of  one  hundred  and  ton  degree*.  Thii  pro« 
cena  destroys  thu  watery  acid  in  the  oil. 

Winter  Stiiained  Whale  Oil.  Whale  oil,  after  bleach- 
ing, iH  made  into  winter  oil  by  exposing  it  in  casks  to  cold 
weather,  or  by  artificial  freezing  in  the  nummcr.  When  frozen 
it  is  granulated,  or  separated  into  grains,  or  masses,  like  sperm 
oil.  At  a  temperature  when  the  oil  begins  to  exliibit  liquid 
particles,  it  is  taken  from  the  casks,  and  put  into  double  cot- 
ton  strainers.  The  oil  which  comes  from  this  straining  is  called 
winter  strained  whole  oil. 

The  following  facts  respecting  winter  strained  whale  oil  may 
not  be  wholly  destitute  of  interest.  It  is  fbtmd  that  it  will 
endure  a  greater  degree  of  cold  at  the  same  temperature  than 
winter  pressed  sperm  oil ;  it  will  bum  longer,  and  its  speoiflo 
gravity  is  heavier ;  but  it  will  not  give  so  brilliani  a  light  at 
sperm  oil. 

Spbino  Whale  Oil.  What  remains  after  straining  the 
first  time,  goes  through  the  process  of  heating,  cooling,  and 
pressing,  similar  to  spring  sperm  oil ;  and  thus  is  obtained  the 
epring  whale  oil. 

That  which  is  left  after  straining  and  pressing  is  called  whak 
foots. 

The  following  are  a  few  of  the  iisee  to  which  whale  foots  are 
applied.  In  making  an  inferior  kind  of  candles,  in  making 
some  kinds  of  bar  soap,  and  likewise  used  on  railways  and  in 
ship  yards. 

The  adamanimie  candies  are  made  of  spermaceti  mixed  with 
wax,  in  proportion  of  one  ounce  of  wax  to  a  pound  of  sperma- 
ceti, and  subjected  to  powerful  steam  pressure.  They  are  not 
only  much  harder  than  spermaceti  candles,  and  variously  col- 
ored, but  they  command  a  higher  price  in  the  market.  There 
is  a  manufactory  of  this  description  in  Philadelphia. 

Oil  soap  is  made  from  the  deposit  of  alkali,  in  the  process  of 
bleaching.  If,  after  pressing  and  bleaching,  the  oils  should 
retain  too  dark  a  color,  they  are  then  bleached  again.    Some 


V 


294 


HISTORY   AND   DETAILS   OP  WHALING. 


▼arieties  of  oil  are  darker  than  others,  -which  requires  addi- 
'  tional  labor  in  this  respect. 

There  is  another  method,  and  usually  the  ordinary  one,  by 
vhich  oils  are  clarified  and  prepared  for  the  market.  It  is 
termed  panning. 

For  this  purpose,  after  it  has  been  bleached,  strained,  or 
pressed,  and  it  does  not  assume  the  right  color  or  shade,  it  is 
pumped  into  large,  leaded,  superficial  vats,  or  pans,  located  in 
a  building  near  by,  whose  side  roof  is  nrLoUy  of  glass,  like  a 
glass  house,  and  so  arranged  that  both  air  and  sun  can  act  upon 
large  bodies  of  oil  in  difiSerent  stages  of  vrhitening. 

This  process  not  only  whitens  the  oil,  but  whatever  particles 
or  thickness  there  may  have  been  in  the  oil}  not  discernible 
before,  is  now  all  removed  and  deposited  on  the  bottom  of  the 
pan.  The  oil  taken  from  these  pans  is  put  into  barrels  or  casks, 
and  is  ready  for  the  market. 

Government  Test  of  Speem  Oil.  The  lighthouses  upon 
oiur  seaboard,  and  also  upon  the  lakes,  are  furnished  with  the 
best  quality  of  sperm  oil. 

Sperm  oil  has  a  standard  weight  established  or  recognized 
by  the  government,  and  according  as  varieties  fall  short  or  go 
beyond  this  measure,  or  standard,  indicated  by  a  nicely  ad- 
justed oilometer,  its  true  weight  and  value  are  ascertained. 

Winter  strained  sperm  oil  is  heavier,  and  bxims  away  faster 
than  spring  strained  sperm  oil,  for  the  simple  reason  that  the 
winter  oil  is  freer  from  spermaceti  than  the  spring  strained  oil. 

Sperm  oil  is  tested  by  authority  of  government,  when  con- 
tracts are  made  with  the  manufacturer  to  furnish  oil  for  light- 
houses, in  the  following  manner:  A  common  tin  lamp  of 
a  cylindrical  form  is  taken,  and  fitted  with  a  wick  which 
reaches  to  the  bottom  of  the  lamp.  It  is  then  filled  with  oil, 
and  kept  biiming  until  all  the  oil  in  the  lamp  is  burned  up, 
and  the  wick  so  dry  that  not  a  drop  of  oil  will  fall  from  it. 

The  nimxber  of  hours  which  a  given  quantity  of  oil  will 
bum,  is  another  consideration  included  in  determining  the  rel- 
ative quality  of  oil. 


HISTORY   AND  DETAILS  OP  WHALING. 


295 


Mixing  ob  Advlteiuting  Oils.  Spenn  oil  is  the  purest 
aiid  best  of  all  varieties  of  whale  oil,  and  brings  the  highest 
price  in  the  market.  Sperm  oil  is  frequently  mixed  in  greater 
or  less  proportions  with  right  whale  oil,  which  is  an  inferior 
kind  of  oil,  and  labelled  kperm  oil.  This  is  a  fraud,  and  it  is 
practised  more  extensively  than  people  arc  aware  of. 

The  fraud  may  be  detected  if  either  the  right  whale  oil  or 
sperm  oil  happens  to  differ  in  its  shade  or  color,  the  one  from 
the  other.  Sperm  oil  is  lighter  than  right  whale  oil.  If  sperm 
oil  is  carefully  put  into  a  glass  containing  right  whale  oil,  the 
former  will  not  displace  the  latter,  but  remain  separate ;  and 
the  line  of  separation  between  the  two  kinds  of  oil,  providing 
the  color  is  somewhat  different,  may  be  easily  detected.  The 
smell  and  taste  of  oil,  likewise,  determine  whether  it  be  bogua 
sperm  oil  or  not. 

But  the  surest  and  most  certain  test  of  all  others,  as  to  the 
quality  of  oils,  is  by  the  oilometer,*  (elaiometer.)  This  in- 
strument is  not  only  authorized  by  government,  and  employed 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  genuine  sperm  oil,  but  it  is  used  in 
all  oil  manufactories  to  determine  both  in  buying  and  selling 
the  different  varieties  of  oils. 

It  should  be  ooserved,  however,  that  the  mixing  or  adultera- 
tion of  oils  is  never  practised  by  the  oil  manufacturer.  It 
w6uld  be  fatal  to  his  business  if  he  should  do  it.  There  is  no 
such  article  in  an  oil  factory  for  sale  as  mixed  or  adulterated 
oils.  It  is  either  sperm  or  otherwise.  The  mixing  takes  place 
after  it  passes  into  the  hands  of  the  second,  third,  and  it  may 
be  the  fourth  purchaser,  or  retailer.  It  is  believed  that  but 
little  genuine  sperm  oil  reaches  far  back  in  the  country,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  for  the  purpose  of  lubrication  in  machinery ; 
and  even  then,  much  of  that,  if  tested  by  the  proper  measure, 
would  probably  be  found  badly  mixed  with  an  inferior  quality 
of  oil. 

Since  preparing  the  present  chapter  on  the  manufacture  of 

*  Harris. 


V, 


296        BISTORT  AND   DETAILS  OF  WHALINO. 


oil,  the  following  just  remarks  came  under  our  observation, 
selected  from  the  New  Bedford  Mercury,  January  16,  1857,  and 
are  worthy  of  thd  attention  of  all. 

**  We  embrace  the  present  opportunity  to  offer  Some  remarks 
and  suggestions  in  the  matter  of  the  adulteration  of  sperm  oil, 
which  has  been  carried  on  to  such  an  extent  as  to  form  one  of 
the  causes,  we  may  safely  say,  fos  the  decline  of  the  article  in 
price.  Like  every  other  commodity,  it  is  liable  to  be  counter- 
feited ;  and  we  know,  after  it  has  passed  out  of  the  hands  of 
importers  and  manufacturers,  adulteration  has  been  practised 
to  a  wide  extent.  This  is  an  evil  beyond  the  control  of  our 
merchants,  however  much  they  may  deprecate  its  influence 
upon  the  trade.  To  say  tha!;  a  system  of  adulteration  is  prac- 
tised here,  is  a  charge  which  cannot  be  substantiated  by  facts ; 
and  to  suppose  that  the  manufacturer  would  knowingly  injtire 
or  damage  his  own  business,  is  too  absurd  to  require  refutation. 
.  .  .  We  believe  it  would  be  a  wise  and  judicious  policy  to 
establish  agencies  in  different  sections  of  the  country,  with 
agents  of  known  honesty  and  integrity,  for  the  wholesale  and 
retail  of  the  article ;  and  that  each  barrel  and  cask  bear  the 
name  of  the  manufactmrer  as  a  guaranty  of  its  purity. 

*' Consumers,  especially  those  who  buy  for  machinery  p\ir- 
poses,  would  then  know  where  to  make  their  pwchases,  and 
have  the  assurance  of  *  value  received.' " 


] 

I 

1 
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E 


Catahgtte  of  ^ooh. 


-^ 


SIOTOBIAIi  HZSTOBT  OF  TEB  XTinTBD  8TATX8  Ol*  AHEBIOA.    ByJuHii 
Fkost,  LL.D.   lOflGpagei.   400  ■piiited  Engnvingt. 

BISTOBICAti   COLIiXCTIONS  O?   ALL   NATIONS.     By  Joan  Fkobt.  LL.  D. 
1006  pageSi   700  diversifled  Engnvingi. 

AJKBBICAN  GXNBBAL8.    By  JoRjr  Fbost,  LL.  D.   1000  pagM.  610  Ulaatntioiig. 

HONABCES  ANB  THB  PSOFLB  07  XUBOFX.    By  Ions  Frost,  LL.  D.    JS» 
pagM.    fiO  EngraTinga, 

79X  LI7B  OF  OXTB  LOBD  AND  8AVIOUB  JBQVS  0HBI8T.  By  Jouh  Flkkt- 
WOOD,  D.  D.   680  page*.   Bluatnted. 

TSB  INDIAN  ON  TEE  BATTLB-FIBLD  AND  IN  TEX  WIOWAM.   By  Jouir 
Frost,  LL.D.   12S  Engraving*. 

TSBILLINO  SCENES  IN  COTTAQE  LIFE.    448  pages.    70  giapMe  EDgiSTings. 

OEBISTIAN  OOTTNSELLOB,- Jewels  for  the  Eouseliold.    By  Trtoit  Powrrs, 
D.  O.   448  pages.   W  beauttftil  Engravings. 

MODEBN  ABCBITEOT.  or  every  Carpenter  hia  own  Uaster.     By  Edward 
Shaw,  Architect.   64  Steel  Engravings. 

BOVINGS  ON  LAND  AND   SEA.     By  Capt.  Hbwry  E.  Davrhport.    316  pages. 
Numerous  EngrsTlngs. 

ANOEL  WEISPBBS,  or  the  Eoho  of  Spirit  Voices.    By  Rrv.  Dakirl  C.  Eddt. 

TEB  OASIS,  or  Golden  Leaves  of  Friendship.    By  Mubdock  J.  Prboital. 

TEB  TEBEB  UBS.  JUDSON8.  and  other  Danghters  of  the  Cross.    By  Brt. 
Dakibl  C.  Eddt. 

BAPPT  EOUBS  AT  EAZBL  NOOK.    ByHARBiBT  Tablrt. 

LIFE  AMONG  THiB  FLp.\1{EB9.  or  Bural  Waeath.   By  Laura  Grrrvwood. 


TEE  TOUNG 
the  Tempted, 


ECSOES 


>d.  'Byiifei.BfA'irtifi.bitDir.;  .  :....'.•  >  ' 

FEOM:  TBiiii  QMnNEt".'        .*•.  !     ••        ••     .      .     .. 


,and  Counsel  for 


V 


CATALOGUE    OF    BOOKS. 


TEX  OIiOVXN  VOOT,  or  Poperjr  •imlng  at  Politioal  Supremaojr  In  the  Vnlted 
States.  By  the  Rbotob  or  Olouwold.  Large  LAuo.  4U0pagea.  niiutntcd  with  U 
beauttftil  EngraTingi. 

THZ  GBZAT  WB8T,— Garden  of  the  World.  Bjr  C.  V.  Daxa,  of  Cbicivo,  HI. 
Bvautiftd  colored  Blap. 

THXOOmS,  a  X^mp  in  th«  Oavem  of  >vlL    By  Catids  Jvhiob.   800  pagee. 

IXSJSaXEJXOMB  or  ▲  BABBXSTBB.    By  8AMUBI.  Wabbbk,  Esq.  400pigea. 

HEOOLLBOnOlTS  01>  A  POLXdlKAK.    By  Thomas  Watsrs.   400|Mgei<. 

CONTSSSIONB  or  AK  ATTOBITBT.    By  Baxubl  Wabkbr.  Esq.   «» pages. 

THX  HOMZ  ANOXIi,  or  Sioh  and  foor.  By  Mas.  L.  B.  Vbbixo.   Steel  EngmriBg. 

THB  TOTTITG  WOMAN'S  TBIXMS.  or  the  Ontles,  Trials.  Iioves,  and  HopM 
of  Woman.    By  Rbv.  Dahibl  C.  Eodt.   800  pages.    Superb  Steel  EngniTiiig. 

BOOKT  KOVNTAIN  UTX,  or  Startling  Soenes  and  Perilous  Adventurea  la 
theflarWeat.    By  Burvs  B.  Saob.  MOpagei.   Numeioiuniiutratioiii. 

TUB  ABOTIO  WHAIiZMAN,  or  Winter  In  the  Aretlo  Ooean.  By  Bbt.  Lbwis 
HoLMBS.  80O  pages.  Nnmerons  Eogravings. 

OOBDBUA  AND  EDWIN,  or  the  remarkable  Blatory  of  a  Temale  Wanderer. 
48psgee.   With  lUiutrstions. 

A  OOMFENDimC  OI*  XUFOBTANT  EVENTS. 

A  NEW  AND  STITEBIOB  MAP  OV  THE  UNITED  STATES.  Colored  snd 
Mounted. 

ZILIiAR,  or  the  Child  Medium.— A  Tale  of  SpiritualiBm.  By  the  Author  of 
"  My  Confcnion." 

eSEEOE  AND  THE  OBEEK8  OF  TEE  PBBSSNT  DAT.  By  Edmoxo  About. 
400  page*. 

MABT  EOWITT'S  COMPLETE  POETICAIi  WOBKS.  Author's  Edition.  800 
page*.    With  Portrait 

MEDIOAIi  COMMON  SENSE,  and  Vnhappiness  in  Marriage.  By  E.  B.  Foots, 
M.  D.   400pagei.   Fully  Biuttrated. 

IDBAXi  OP  WOMANHOOD,  or  Words  to  the  Women  of  Amerloa.    By  Lissn 

R.  ToRnsr.   aOOpsgct. 

,,       J     •'»■.-'  -'  ^ 

BOLD  ADVENTirstEa  CN  wO?  ALpBy  se^d  Trarelk*  in'.^Ke  Switserland  or 

Amerloa.    Bx  'M^^m*  BHnat  'SOO  ps«e>>  With  nniuenms  jfingHiTingi. 


